From research to action: How the Port of Batangas in the Philippines walks the talk to tackle plastic pollution
Amidst the backdrop of a pressing plastic pollution crisis in the Philippines, a trailblazing project is underway at the Port of Batangas: banning single-use plastics, changing habits, and upholding a long-term commitment to a future free of plastic pollution.
Ports serve as crucial intersections between local communities and the ocean, but these also become pathways for plastic waste to leak into the environment.
“The ports play a big role because they can prevent waste from directly spilling into the oceans, and they can also teach their passengers the importance of managing waste and how this benefits the environment,” says Suzie Huelgas, Chief Safety Officer of the Philippine Ports Authority at the Port of Batangas.
The Port of Batangas — the second largest seaport in the Philippines with more than 6.5 million passengers yearly — is working with WWF-Philippines under the Clean Ports, Clean Oceans: Improving Port Waste Management in the Philippines project. This project, funded by the Grieg Foundation and implemented in partnership with the Grieg Group, aims to reduce plastic waste leakage by 50% in the Port of Batangas, the Port of Cagayan de Oro, and the Manila North Harbour Port.
The coasts and ports are often impacted by plastic waste in the Philippines, as this picture from Manila bay shows.
Understanding the problem
The causes of plastic pollution are complex. Understanding the issue at hand is crucial to create effective solutions. In 2021, the port authorities, together with WWF, conducted a baseline study on solid waste management in Philippine Ports — one of the most recent studies of its kind in South East Asia.
The study found that about 115,000 kilograms of plastic waste are generated from ports and almost 129,000 kilograms of plastic waste from vessels per year. The Port of Batangas generates 43,443 kilograms of waste, of which an estimated 12% leaks to the environment. This became the basis for an action plan to address the issue.
WWF-Philippines turned over waste segregation campaign materials to the Philippine Ports Authority.
“The baseline study allowed us to establish just how much plastic waste is generated by our port; so with that idea in mind, we now know what steps to take to reduce our waste,” says Huelgas.
With this, the Port of Batangas sets a significant precedent for data-informed decision-making. The port authorities' formal endorsement of the action plan signifies a momentous step forward, emphasizing a commitment to effective and data-driven solutions.
The tools to change human behaviour
A pivotal element of the project at the Port of Batangas lies in the port’s commitment to the implementation of a ban on single-use plastics. Single-use plastics have wreaked havoc on our oceans, ecosystems and communities, causing irreversible harm.
In 2021, the Philippine Ports Authority adopted a ban of single-use plastics in its ports, including the Port of Batangas, paving the way for ambitious actions to fight plastic pollution. Around 9.45% of plastics in the Port of Batangas are single-use plastics such as PET bottles, tetra packs, plastic straws and cups.
One of the communication materials regarding the ban on single-use plastics.
To achieve the waste reduction goals, behavioural change is essential. Tangible measures have been set in motion at the port, aiming to not only tackle the issue head-on, but also bridge action with awareness. The project employs several tools to influence behavioural change, including the strategic placement of clearly labeled recycling bins made of recyclable materials, and weekly plastic collection events, both led by the local social enterprise Plastic Flamingo.
The Plastic Flamingo bins made of 100% recycled plastic and the waste segregation campaign materials are placed outside one of the port offices.
In addition, infomercials rolling across the digital screens and signage within the port premises helps increase awareness of passengers and visitors about the far-reaching impacts of plastic pollution, the significance of waste segregation, and the ban on single-use plastics.
Since the start of the project in 2020, the goal was to reduce the amount of waste leakage at the port by 50% and as of date, the preliminary results show that the ports have achieved a significant reduction. The port aims to continue the interventions by monitoring compliance to their ban on single-use plastics, providing more support for utility workers, and constructing a port materials recovery facility.
The Port of Batangas' resolute efforts against plastic pollution stands as a beacon of hope. Amidst a challenging backdrop, the introduction of recycling-based bins, informative communication, comprehensive training, and a visionary ban on single-use plastics showcases a commitment to change. Through a data-driven approach and a dedication to altering mindsets, the port propels a transformation that extends far beyond its shores, ushering in a more sustainable future for all.
The Port of Batangas
About WWF:
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
WWF-Philippines has been successfully implementing various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia since its establishment as the 26th national organization of the WWF network in 1997.
