DENR to launch Earth Day, Every Day campaign

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to launch tomorrow its “Earth Day, Every Day” project in a bid to mobilize the younger generations in curbing plastic pollution in the country.

The project aims to instill and foster a culture of environmental responsibility among the youth, according to Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

“The ‘Earth Day, Every Day’ project advocates the promotion of feasible methods to reduce waste and foster a culture of sustainability among the youth and communities, and motivates participation through incentives,” Loyzaga said in a statement.

Around 11 million public school students are set to take part in solid waste management education alongside capacity-building for over 2,000 community leaders nationwide.

The project will entail a plastics collection competition among students nationwide to help curb plastic pollution and strengthen the fight against single-use plastic.

Students with the highest volume of plastic items collected will win prizes, with points assigned depending on the type of plastic collected.

Prizes will be awarded to the class with the highest points every month and at the end of the year.

The DENR is advocating a circular economy in the country where plastic applications can be reused, recycled and responsibly managed.