Sachet Economy

The fact that the Philippines was ranked 3rd as the most plastic waste producer and worst ocean plastic pollutant globally by prior studies is no longer a surprise. Perhaps most Filipinos are aware how bad the country’s trash problem is.

As an illustration, a recent study by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) revealed that more than 163 million plastic sachet packets, 48 million shopping bags and 45 million thin film bags are consumed by Filipinos on a daily basis. Further, the study disclosed that the main problem is the huge amount of single-use plastics produced and not how the waste is managed for the mentioned number of waste is beyond the capacity of baranggays and cities to manage.

In that case, it is likely advocates would blame the corporations for introducing products packed in single-served plastics. However, what most people tend to forget is that what encourages these corporations to continuously market sachet products are the people buying them.

It is for a fact that most Filipinos live below the poverty line and are living on a day-to-day basis. Sachet products are undeniably way cheaper compared to full-sized or bottled products. And because most of the items packed in sachets are shampoos, soap, toothpaste, coffee, vinegar and other consumables needed for everyday living, the sachet economy allowed the poor Filipinos to meet their needs for food and hygiene without having to compromise other needs or spend too much more than they can afford to. What is more is that it has opened business opportunity for some, proof is the frequency of sari-sari stores all over the country.

All things considered, banning the sale of sachet products nationwide may reduce the country’s generation of plastic waste but it could also deprive the poor Filipinos of their chance to provide for their basic needs. So instead, the government should mandate these big corporations to use reusable and/or recyclable packagings but must be still sold at an affordable price./Loreine Kyra Lebumfacil