In line with the Zero Waste Month campaign this January, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Western Visayas (DENR-6) invites the public to practice “waste-free habits” and alternative environment-friendly practices.

The theme of the campaign this year is “Integrating sustainability and circularity into the informal waste sector.”

“As we celebrate this Zero Waste Month this January 2025, let us prioritize doing the best for our environment. There is no Planet B nor another earth. Thus, it is imperative that we take care of our precious planet,” said DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Raul Lorilla.

He added that as we look forward to a “Zero Waste Future,” we need to work hard to ensure that our environment is clean.

Further, according to DENR, the education, intervention of local government units, and consumers’ behavior that are geared towards active engagement in waste practices are needed to address solid waste management problems.

Likewise, DENR-6 views the stronger implementation of Republic Act 9512, or the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, as crucial to widen understanding and promote behavioral change in the academe.

The conduct of awareness campaigns engaging residents to practice waste-reducing habits and implementing waste-free practices like “No Single Use Plastics in Market Day” or eliminating plastic utensils in establishments are also beneficial.

“By embracing circular economies with 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), leveraging technology, engaging communities, implementing supportive policies, and fostering conscious consumerism, we can pave the way for a cleaner planet. The journey toward zero waste is tough but is worth taking, worth achieving,” said Lorilla. (PIA-6)