An environmental group said that it would be a great service to the country and the public if poll candidates in the May 9 national and election polls would go out on the streets the following day to lead the public in removing campaign materials and salvaging whatever can be reused, repurposed or recycled even if they are at the losing end of the canvassing.

 “Candidates must show their sense of environmental responsibility and sportsmanship by taking the initiative of clearing the streets of campaign materials regardless of the poll results,” said Aileen Lucero, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

Lucero appealed to all candidates and their supporters to dedicate May 10 for the much-needed post-campaign clean-up.

“Cleaning up after the ruthless and wasteful electoral campaign is a good way to put the political bitterness behind us and usher in peace and reconciliation, especially among divided families and communities,” she added.

While pushing for immediate post-campaign clean-up, the Quezon City-based watchdog cautioned the candidates and their throng of volunteers, as well as government cleaners, against the polluting practice of dumping or burning the discarded materials.

Open dumping and open burning, which are unlawful under R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, will only turn a largely solid waste problem into a chemical problem, the group warned.

Both open dumping and open burning can lead to the discharge of nasty chemical pollutants into the air, water and soil, which can harm human health and the environment, the group said.

Burning chlorinated materials such as plastic campaign posters will cause the formation and release of health-damaging dioxins and furans, which are among the most toxic man-made chemical poisons, the group warned.

Instead of dumping or burning the removed campaign materials, the EcoWaste Coalition urged post-campaign clean-up participants to properly sort discarded materials and to reuse, repurpose or sell them to junk shops.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Chito A. Chavez

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