The Xavier University Solid Waste Management Program is now building up momentum starting with the installation of the segregation bins.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Get Caught Green handed By: Xyla Mercedita E. Gualberto
Get Caught Green handed
By: Xyla Mercedita E. Gualberto
By: Xyla Mercedita E. Gualberto
BSDevCom 4
There’s a big difference between a dumpsite and a canteen. That’s too obvious a fact to bring up.
… But then again, do we really know that?
After gobbling up a meal in the canteen, the so-called Atenista stands up to abandon the table he used, as if blind to the messy garbage mini dump he just created. Sometimes, the litters are only a bottle of soda and plastic junk food wrappers. But unfortunately, on most days, the tables are left with wet and soggy paper plates or Styrofoam containers with spilled dark gooey sauce. These stain the white tables. These aggravate the canteen workers. These delay others to eat. These reflect who you are and what you know.
Let’s face it; nobody wants to be labeled ‘ignorant’. A non-ignorant person would know that at this point, leniency on waste management is a big fat no-no. In fact, the green revolution, a global culture of environmentalism, is highlighting the importance of proper solid waste management.
There are already various communities and academic institutions which are on the forefront of advocating for eco-friendly lifestyles.
In the Philippines, the municipality of Los Baños in the Laguna province bans the use of plastic bags in commercial establishments. Its locals have alternative means of carrying their groceries and goods; from paper bags to cartons and even cheese cloth totes to the traditional woven Bayong. Such movement is the first of its kind in our country. It has not only reduced the waste generation to a great number, but has also developed a sense of discipline and environmental appreciation to the citizens.
Zooming in to a micro level, the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) is also practicing a similar scheme with its new projects called Bring Your Own Baunan (BYOB) and Clean As You Go (CLAYGO). BYOB is about bringing your own baunan to the canteen to lessen waste generation. Students who comply with get incentives such as discounts from the canteen concessionaires. On the other hand, CLAYGO is simply returning one’s tray, plates, and utensils to a designated area after eating or turning off electric facilities when leaving a classroom or office. It’s practiced by all members of the institution- students, teachers and staffs alike.
You may neither be from Los Baños nor ADMU but perhaps you also want a cleaner city or a cleaner university just like theirs. Kent, a 4th year student in XU, expressed that “it would be nicer” if the local communities were more earth loving. He is even willing to do simple acts to help acquire such.
If Los Baños and ADMU can make a difference, what’s stopping us from doing the same?
Green Movement in XU
When asked about the Central Student Government’s plans in support of the green revolution, Department of Mission and Social Action (DMSA) Chair Sheena Marie Lim shared her team’s plans on promoting environmentalism in XU. They came up with the green movement program; a series of activities to concretely manage waste disposal in the campus. It will be launched this coming September in an event titled “Green Day” which will showcase the different environmental initiatives that councils and orgs have been doing. She says “Gina tuyo na namo ug highlight kay para makita sa mga estudyante kung asa sila pwede mag involve bitaw ug para ma kita nila nga pwede sila mag involve ani”.
Aside from the Green Day, Lim also mentioned a project wherein two trash cans will be stationed in classrooms and in key the areas inside the campus. One is for biodegradables and the other for non-biodegradables. In addition, CLAYGO will be adopted in XU with a twist of an awareness drive. These are to be spearheaded by DMSA in partnership with the Atenista Ako Movement and the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana.
The effort to discontinue the use of Styrofoam is also already underway. Lim said “Naa mi plan nga mag make ug petition for banning of Styrofoam”, but she stresses that the process is still a long way to go.
Nevertheless, DMSA is trying to make an impact in terms of environmental consciousness with its line of sustainable projects.
Straight from the Expert
Chief of Solid Waste Management Section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 10, Dovee Cherry I. Geollegue says that the green movement should be geared towards effective information campaign and a transformation of the lifestyle and habits of the participants. The purpose of this eco-crusade is to reduce the risk of human health and the environment. Moreover, she said that it’s a need and a must to go green as it is a means to fulfill one’s social responsibility. Moreover, Geollegue assures that what one can do to help the environment counts and “it is good to start in school”.
***
There’s a choice waiting to be made; one is to shrug away the opportunity to make a difference while the other is a respond to the call to get caught green handed. People say the green revolution is just a passing trend, or worse, a mere marketing strategy. But the need as manifested by the environment has become pressing and apparent. As the CSG Executive President Ernesto Neri points out, “trash can kill you” and Ms Geollegue stresses that “what is important is to act now”.
Inevitably, there will be tradeoffs such as convenience and tradition. Even so, if it’s for a better cause, if it helps in drawing a clear line between the distinction dumpsite and a canteen, then perhaps it could be worth it.
There’s a big difference between a dumpsite and a canteen. That’s too obvious a fact to bring up.
… But then again, do we really know that?
After gobbling up a meal in the canteen, the so-called Atenista stands up to abandon the table he used, as if blind to the messy garbage mini dump he just created. Sometimes, the litters are only a bottle of soda and plastic junk food wrappers. But unfortunately, on most days, the tables are left with wet and soggy paper plates or Styrofoam containers with spilled dark gooey sauce. These stain the white tables. These aggravate the canteen workers. These delay others to eat. These reflect who you are and what you know.
Let’s face it; nobody wants to be labeled ‘ignorant’. A non-ignorant person would know that at this point, leniency on waste management is a big fat no-no. In fact, the green revolution, a global culture of environmentalism, is highlighting the importance of proper solid waste management.
Setting the Change
There are already various communities and academic institutions which are on the forefront of advocating for eco-friendly lifestyles.
In the Philippines, the municipality of Los Baños in the Laguna province bans the use of plastic bags in commercial establishments. Its locals have alternative means of carrying their groceries and goods; from paper bags to cartons and even cheese cloth totes to the traditional woven Bayong. Such movement is the first of its kind in our country. It has not only reduced the waste generation to a great number, but has also developed a sense of discipline and environmental appreciation to the citizens.
Zooming in to a micro level, the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) is also practicing a similar scheme with its new projects called Bring Your Own Baunan (BYOB) and Clean As You Go (CLAYGO). BYOB is about bringing your own baunan to the canteen to lessen waste generation. Students who comply with get incentives such as discounts from the canteen concessionaires. On the other hand, CLAYGO is simply returning one’s tray, plates, and utensils to a designated area after eating or turning off electric facilities when leaving a classroom or office. It’s practiced by all members of the institution- students, teachers and staffs alike.
You may neither be from Los Baños nor ADMU but perhaps you also want a cleaner city or a cleaner university just like theirs. Kent, a 4th year student in XU, expressed that “it would be nicer” if the local communities were more earth loving. He is even willing to do simple acts to help acquire such.
If Los Baños and ADMU can make a difference, what’s stopping us from doing the same?
Green Movement in XU
When asked about the Central Student Government’s plans in support of the green revolution, Department of Mission and Social Action (DMSA) Chair Sheena Marie Lim shared her team’s plans on promoting environmentalism in XU. They came up with the green movement program; a series of activities to concretely manage waste disposal in the campus. It will be launched this coming September in an event titled “Green Day” which will showcase the different environmental initiatives that councils and orgs have been doing. She says “Gina tuyo na namo ug highlight kay para makita sa mga estudyante kung asa sila pwede mag involve bitaw ug para ma kita nila nga pwede sila mag involve ani”.
Aside from the Green Day, Lim also mentioned a project wherein two trash cans will be stationed in classrooms and in key the areas inside the campus. One is for biodegradables and the other for non-biodegradables. In addition, CLAYGO will be adopted in XU with a twist of an awareness drive. These are to be spearheaded by DMSA in partnership with the Atenista Ako Movement and the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana.
The effort to discontinue the use of Styrofoam is also already underway. Lim said “Naa mi plan nga mag make ug petition for banning of Styrofoam”, but she stresses that the process is still a long way to go.
Nevertheless, DMSA is trying to make an impact in terms of environmental consciousness with its line of sustainable projects.
Straight from the Expert
Chief of Solid Waste Management Section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 10, Dovee Cherry I. Geollegue says that the green movement should be geared towards effective information campaign and a transformation of the lifestyle and habits of the participants. The purpose of this eco-crusade is to reduce the risk of human health and the environment. Moreover, she said that it’s a need and a must to go green as it is a means to fulfill one’s social responsibility. Moreover, Geollegue assures that what one can do to help the environment counts and “it is good to start in school”.
***
There’s a choice waiting to be made; one is to shrug away the opportunity to make a difference while the other is a respond to the call to get caught green handed. People say the green revolution is just a passing trend, or worse, a mere marketing strategy. But the need as manifested by the environment has become pressing and apparent. As the CSG Executive President Ernesto Neri points out, “trash can kill you” and Ms Geollegue stresses that “what is important is to act now”.
Inevitably, there will be tradeoffs such as convenience and tradition. Even so, if it’s for a better cause, if it helps in drawing a clear line between the distinction dumpsite and a canteen, then perhaps it could be worth it.
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