Imagine sitting down for a meal, taking a bite of your favorite seafood, and unknowingly ingesting teeny-tiny plastic particles.
Sound far-fetched? Unfortunately, this scenario is not a myth or misconception.
Plastics are ubiquitous. They’ve made their way into every aspect of our lives—from the food we eat to the air we breathe. What was once hailed as a revolutionary material is now at the heart of a global environmental and health crisis.
This alarming reality was the focus of the recent “Forum on the Health Effects of Plastics and Other Emerging Pollutants and of Burning of Waste,” held at Saint Louis University in Baguio City on March 21, 2025.
Organized by SLU, Zero Waste Baguio Inc., and the EcoWaste Coalition, the forum brought together experts who talked about the deep-rooted dangers of plastics and what can be done to mitigate their impact.
The invisible threat of microplastics
To repeat the obvious: Plastics are everywhere. Since the 1950s until 2017, about 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic was produced, and an overwhelming 90% of it still exists in some form—whether in landfills, the ocean, or inside living organisms.
Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol of the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation explained that plastics break down into microplastics, tiny particles measuring less than 5mm. These are found in the ocean, soil, air, and even in our drinking water.
Marine life is particularly vulnerable to microplastics. Fish and shellfish ingest these plastics, which then travel up the food chain and land on our plates.
The human body is not built to process synthetic materials, yet microplastics have already been detected in human lungs, bloodstreams, and placentas. Their effects on health are concerning, with studies linking them to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal disruptions, and increased risks of cancer.
A closer look at endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
Not all plastic-related dangers are visible. Dr. Ma. Easter Joy Saho of UP Baguio focused on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—substances that interfere with the body’s hormonal system. These chemicals are found in many household and personal care products, so they’re nearly impossible to avoid.
Common sources of human-made or introduced EDCs include:
- Bisphenols (e.g., BPA): Found in food containers, water bottles, and even receipts.
- Phthalates: Present in cosmetics, perfumes, and soft plastics.
- Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs): Used in non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing.
Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to infertility, metabolic disorders, developmental problems in children, and increased risks of hormone-related cancers.
A 2023 study conducted by the South Korea-based Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health (WIOEH) found alarmingly high levels of EDCs in certain personal care products (including ones made for children) sold in the Philippines. Despite the findings, current regulations remain weak, and the responsibility of avoiding these harmful products falls largely on us, the consumers.
The Philippines’ contribution to plastic waste
Sadly, it’s not unusual to find the Philippines listed among the world’s top plastic polluters. Why?
It’s not simply a case of Filipinos being careless—the answer is actually rooted in a more complex systemic issue.
The poverty in the country has made people reliant on sachet culture—the availability of small, single-use plastic packaging for everyday products—that makes waste nearly impossible to manage.
Multinational corporations flood the market with these convenient and seemingly more affordable but highly unsustainable items. With these products, the burden of waste disposal is passed onto consumers and local governments.
Even worse, supposed “solutions” like biodegradable plastics and incineration do more harm than good. Dr. Apostol explained that:
- Biodegradable plastics often contain fossil-based components and require industrial conditions to break down properly.
- Chemical recycling emits harmful pollutants and has limited effectiveness.
- Incineration produces toxic chemicals like dioxins and furans, which end up harming the environment and humans and disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
Existing laws and why they’re not enough
Aileen Lucero of the EcoWaste Coalition discussed various Philippine laws and policies aimed at tackling plastic pollution, including:
- The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003): A law that mandates proper waste segregation, recycling, and composting but suffers from poor enforcement.
- Extended Producer Responsibility Act (RA 11898): Aims to make companies responsible for the waste their products generate. However, corporations often find loopholes to continue their unsustainable practices and pass the buck to consumers, as usual.
- Local ordinances banning plastics: Some cities and municipalities have imposed bans on plastic bags and straws, but such enforcement remains inconsistent.
Plastic waste continues to pile up. Without strict implementation and more substantial penalties, these policies risk becoming mere guidelines rather than real solutions.
What needs to change?
The plastic crisis affects everyone and everything. It’s both an environmental issue and a public health emergency. To address it effectively, once and for all, we need to have a shift in mindset and behavior at every level.
- Political Will and Stronger Governance: Local and national governments must prioritize waste reduction over waste management and be consistent in all their policies and practices. Instead of simply cleaning up plastic pollution, policies should focus on banning unnecessary plastics, investing in sustainable alternatives, and holding corporations accountable for the waste they produce.
- Corporate Responsibility: Companies should stop producing non-recyclable, single-use plastics. True sustainability means redesigning packaging and offering refillable or compostable alternatives—not just shifting to biodegradable plastic.
- Consumer Awareness and Action: People have the power to demand and start change. Supporting zero-waste stores, choosing reusable products, and boycotting brands that contribute to plastic waste (yes, including our favorite labels, and especially fast-fashion brands) can push industries to rethink their practices.
- Rethinking the Culture of Convenience: This attitude fuels our plastic dependency. A major shift toward reusable containers (even bringing our own along, everywhere), buying in bulk, and supporting sustainable businesses requires tremendous effort and mindfulness, but the long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term inconvenience.
The plastic problem isn’t going away on its own.
Every day that we delay action, more plastic seeps into our food, water, and bodies. The choices we make today will determine the kind of world we leave behind—one buried in plastic, or one where our children and their children can breathe clean air, drink safe water, and eat food free from toxins.
There’s no compromise.
It’s time for us to move beyond discussions and take concrete steps toward a plastic-free future.
