Globe and Boy Scouts of the Philippines participate at the International Coastal Cleanup in Metro Manila

Volunteers from Globe Telecom and Boy Scouts of the Philippines will take part in an international crusade to clear the world's coastlines of non-biodegradable trash and pollutants.

This will be the sixth year for the Philippines to participate in Ocean Conservatory’s 2018 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), which is the world’s largest volunteer effort for the oceans’ health. This year, public and private sectors in the Philippines will join several coastal cleanup efforts across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with two scheduled this Saturday (September 22) in Manila Bay and Navotas River, two of the most populated waterways in Metro Manila.

“We are excited to be part of the International Coastal Cleanup and help restore our coastal and marine resources,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communication. “We are encouraging more people to participate in promoting clean and safe environment in our country.”

Some scientists have estimated that millions of tons of plastic waste go into the oceans worldwide every year, with middle-income nations—including the Philippines—among the top contributors.

Plastic waste, which may include toxic chemicals, present a huge problem in the oceans. A 2018 sustainability report by the United Nations Environment Programme showed that plastic waste, if ingested by fish or other marine life, can enter the food chain and end up contaminating what is being served on consumers’ dinner plates.

To help address these issues, the Philippines has been among the top participating countries in ICC since 2012. Held annually every third Saturday of September, people around the globe gather on beaches, coasts, rivers, waterways, and underwater dive sites to remove trash and record information on the debris collected.

Back in 2017, over 214,000 volunteers in the Philippines removed 526,933 pounds of trash from local beaches and waterways, a report from Ocean Conservatory showed. That action saved potential impacts on the food chain and marine life.

This initiative is banked on four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which promotes Partnerships for the Goals, Life Below Water, Climate Action, and Life on Land. Aside from cleanups, Globe also engages in other environmental initiatives such as reforestation and tree planting activities. As the leader of the digital lifestyle, Globe is anchoring its key initiatives on its four-point program: Care for the Environment, Care for our People, Positive Societal Impact, and Digital Nation. Visit the Globe website to learn more about Globe’s sustainability projects and advocacy campaigns.