Philippines works to tackle plastic waste in rivers

More than a thousand rangers have been employed by the Philippine government to clean up waterways in the capital city of Manila, where tonnes of rubbish end up every year.

Workers of a Philippines materials recovery facility sort through plastic waste and segregate them for proper recycling (Source: Shutterstock)
Workers of a Philippines materials recovery facility sort through plastic waste and segregate them for proper recycling (Source: Shutterstock)

Hanoi (VNA) - More than a thousand rangers have been employed by the Philippine government to clean up waterways in the capital city of Manila, where tonnes of rubbish end up every year.

Inadequate garbage collection services, lack of disposal and recycling facilities, and grinding poverty have been blamed for the growing problem of plastic waste across the Philippines.

The country produces about 61,000 tonnes of trash every day, up to 24% of it plastic, figures from the environment department show. It said the Pasig river, which flows through the capital and into Manila Bay, is the "most polluting" in the world.

Philippine lawmakers have enacted a series of environmental measures in recent years, covering everything from rolling out recycling centres to compelling companies to take responsibility for their plastic waste. However, their implementation remains a challenge./.

VNA

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