utilization of alternative packaging materials such as woven bags (bayong), baskets, cloth bags (katsa), paper bags and other similar materials (e.g banana leaves, taro leaves, etc)
WHEREAS, there is a need to regulate the use of plastic bags to prevent potential serious ecological imbalance particularly in the municipal waterways.
WHEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Bayan of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan, assembled in regular session with a quorum present, that:
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Title – This ordinance shall be known as “Ordinance Regulating and Prohibiting the Use of Plastics, Styrofoam, Plastic Straw for Goods and Commodities That End Up as a Residual Waste and Providing Penalties Thereof”.
Sec. 2. Scope and Coverage. This Ordinance shall cover all types of plastics that end up as residual waste. Types of plastics that are currently and economically diverted within the municipality though resource recovery such as re-use and recycling shall not be covered.
Plastic products and plastics that form part of a product such as from semiconductor and electronic products except as container or packaging material shall not be covered.
This Ordinance shall be applicable to and observed in all household, industrial, commercial or business establishments, scrap collector, junk dealers and all persons, whether living or sojourning in the municipality.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms are defined:
a. Buy back center– shall refer to a recycling center that purchases or otherwise accepts recyclable materials for the purpose of recycling.
b. Cloth bag (a.k.a. katsa) – refers to the reusable packaging material made of cloth [biodegradable] used in the packaging of flour, wheat and other similar goods.
c. Container – shall refer to the material which contains and is in direct contact with the product especially in the cases of liquid products, wet goods, food and beverages, e.g. bottles, trays, plastic or paper wraps, laminated cartons etc.; dry and solid goods do not usually require containers.
d. Dry goods – refers to any product that do not require refrigeration or freezing to maintain freshness such as textiles and clothing.
e. Dry market – generally refers to the store of products that do not require refrigeration or freezing to maintain freshness.
f. Eco-bags or re-usable bags - are bags made out of different materials that can withstand several uses as containers and for packaging rendering them “eco”-friendly as they provide an alternative to disposable bags; commonly used eco-bags are made from fabric, recycled or indigenous materials; it may also refer to “thick” plastic bags or any bag made out of plastic provided that the material is strong that will render the bag durable for re-use; bags made from recycled materials such as paper are not necessarily considered eco-bags if not re-usable as stated, e.g. thin paper bags commonly known as “supot” used for “pandesal”.
g. Generator (s) – shall refer to a person, natural or juridical, who last uses a material and makes it available for disposal or recycling.
h. Material – shall refer to post-consumer material that has been processed to be used for making a product, e.g. recycled paper.
