The Quezon City government in the Philippines has issued a directive banning disposables and single-use plastics within the City Hall compound and government-run establishments.
Effective as of 21 April 2025 through Executive Order No. 3, Series of 2025, the policy covers plastic bags, packaging, cutlery, and containers.
The ban includes items such as PET bottles, plastic and paper cups, styrofoam, and disposable dishware.
Employees are required to bring reusable eco-bags and containers for purchases made inside and near the compound. Single-use cutlery is also prohibited within the workplace for employees.
Visitors may still receive food in disposable packaging, but these must not be brought into the buildings.
Food deliveries are allowed, provided that containers are returned to designated recycling booths. Deliveries using plastic packaging are not permitted inside the facilities.
The order also reinforces the Quezon City Green Public Procurement Ordinance (SP-3107, S-2021). This ordinance aims to eliminate single-use plastics in city-led events and promote sustainable alternatives.
The new policy serves to reinforce existing environmental legislation.
To ensure effective and comprehensive rollout of the policy, the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) and the General Services Department (GSD) have conducted orientation sessions.
These sessions discussed the policy’s provisions and addressed concerns and suggestions of affected concessionaires and stakeholders.
Non-compliance by ambulant vendors operating within city premises will result in penalties. City employees and officials found violating the policy may face formal reprimands or memoranda.
Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte said: “Non-biodegradable and single-use plastics take thousands of years to break down, polluting our land and waterways in the process. Studies now show that microplastics have made their way into our food, drinking water, and even our soil, posing serious health risks to our communities.
“Plastic even chokes our marine animals. This is precisely why the city government is pioneering policies and long-term solutions to reduce plastic use and advance sustainability.
“We hope that this policy inspires other government units and private institutions to champion circular economy and sustainability, and to reduce - or avoid - unnecessary plastic waste.”
