DENR: Recycle campaign materials

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

May 15, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga yesterday directed the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) to lead the collection, repurpose, reuse and recycle of campaign materials nationwide.

Loyzaga also encouraged the public to actively participate in the collection of campaign materials, ensuring that these items are sent to recyclers.

She directed EMB to work with the civic group Green Convergence and other non-government partners in reducing the ecological footprint of election posters and tarpaulins.

EMB director Jacqueline Caancan instructed all EMB regional offices to organize post-election cleanup activities and collection of tarpaulins until May 17.

Caancan added that the regional offices must also report the quantity of recovered campaign materials and where these were sent for repurposing or recycling.

She said that regional offices are working with local government units on the location of drop-off points, provision of information on proper recycling and upcycling techniques as well as data on the types of materials that can be repurposed, reused and recycled.

Loyzaga cited how the materials discarded post-elections could clog waterways, leading to increased pollution, habitat destruction and a decline in biodiversity.

“The upside of this initiative is profound. By repurposing campaign materials, we protect biodiversity in our lands and our oceans, while at the same time create economic opportunities and foster household uses that benefit our communities,” Loyzaga said.

Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy yesterday called on both election winners and losers to remove the campaign materials they used during the election.

In an interview over church-run Radio Veritas, Bishop Uy also discouraged the burning of campaign materials because it could adversely affect the environment.

On May 13, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported a total of 6,100 kilograms of trash collected in Metro Manila on election day, May 12.

‘Litter-free’

EcoWaste Coalition zero waste campaigner Cris Luague said that schools used as polling places were “generally litter-free” inside.

“It was unlike past elections when littering was more evident,” Luague said.

Included in the schools monitored by the group’s Basura Patrollers were eight of the country’s top 20 voting centers.

Luague attributed the reduced littering to the campaign of the Commission on Elections for an eco-friendly electoral exercise; the campaign ban on May 11 and 12, including the prohibition on the distribution of sample ballots; the availability of trash bags or bins in high traffic spots; the constant sweeping by school janitors and the deployment of waste and sanitation workers by local government units.

However, Luague said that areas surrounding some schools were often found littered with campaign materials such as sample ballots, leaflets, hand fans and tarpaulins, as well as single-use beverage and food plastic packaging left on sidewalks and street corners.

The group appealed to all candidates to take the lead in post-election cleanups and demonstrate true leadership by taking responsibility for the waste they generated during the campaign period. - Evelyn Macairan