On the third Saturday of September, thousands of Pinoy volunteers gather at Philippine beaches for International Coastal Cleanup Day. The annual event is organized by the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) as part of a global effort to reduce ocean pollution.

Coastal cleanup volunteers find various types of trash that harm marine life and contaminate soil and water. Their “haul” reveals the Philippines' most common pollutants and how our choices affect the environment.

Learn more about the most common trash items found during coastal cleanup drives, and how you can reduce ocean waste every day of the year.

The Philippines is the world’s biggest producer of “riverine waste” or trash that flows from local waterways into the ocean. The Pasig River alone dumps two kilos of plastic waste into the ocean every second.

Plastic waste clogs waterways and drains, causing floods. It also breaks down into microplastics, which seep into the soil or are eaten by fish.

A study of fish samples from Mindanao found that 60% of fish (including bangus raised in fish ponds) have microplastics in their digestive systems. This shows how high plastic use and improper trash disposal are affecting not just the environment, but fishermen’s livelihood and our food sources.

One day of ocean cleanup can’t wipe out marine pollution, but it can reveal the massive scale of the problem and inspire positive action.

Plastic bottles and caps are a common sight during coastal cleanup because they're widely used and often carelessly discarded. Since they’re so lightweight, air or currents easily carry them to waterways.

The Philippines uses 150 million sachets every day, which accounts for 52% of our country’s total plastic waste and 20% of our ocean waste.

Sachets and other food packaging made of plastic foil can’t be recycled because they’re made of different materials. Once discarded, they take 500 to 1,000 years to decompose.

Unfortunately, many plastic bags are non-recyclable because they're too dirty or made of materials that aren’t accepted by recycling facilities. These include:

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): cling wrap, food packaging
• Multi-layered plastics: sandwich bags
• Thin plastic bags: sando bags, shopping bags, gift bags
• Silicone-coated paper bags or containers: liners used for air fryers

Ordered food delivery? Marine life may end up munching on your “leftovers”—styrofoam chunks, plastic straws and stirrers, or broken pieces of plastic cutlery.

Cigarette butts contain toxic chemicals that leach into the environment. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), they’re the most common litter on beaches and account for 766 million kilograms of toxic trash each year.

Although recyclable, broken glass can pose a danger to wildlife and require special handling.

Fishing nets and lines often turn up in ocean cleanup. They can trap marine life, damage coral reefs, and take up to 600 years to decompose.

Flimsy footwear like flip flops often end up in the ocean because people often toss them into rivers or leave them on beaches.

You can prevent ocean waste just by making a few changes in your daily routine.

Replace single-use plastics with reusable, eco-friendly containers and packaging.

• Invest in reusable containers. This includes water bottles, lunch boxes, and kitchen storage. Since food wrappers are one of the biggest sources of ocean pollution, start with these ideas on how to prepare eco-friendly baon.
• Bring your eco-bag wherever you go. This makes it easier to refuse plastic bags, even during unplanned shopping trips. Leave eco-bags in your car and carry foldable bags.
• Support eco-friendly brands. Say no to beauty sachets and disposable packaging! Find eco-friendly beauty brands that use less plastic or have refill programs. 

Initiated by Save the Philippine Seas and other civil society organizations, this petition promotes replacing sachets with refill stations that can reduce waste while meeting Filipinos’ needs for budget-friendly buys.

Segregating waste reduces the amount of household waste that goes into landfills. 

• Prepare plastics for recycling. Remove labels and bottle caps, which need to be recycled separately. Rinse bottles to remove residue and crush them to save space.
• Segregate different types of waste. Separate biodegradable waste (food and garden waste), recyclable (clean paper, plastic and metal), non-recyclable (wrappers, face masks, dirty plastic or paper), and electronic waste.
• Participate in recycling programs. Ayala Malls accepts clean recyclable waste on weekends. SM Stores holds a Trash to Cash Recycling Market every first Friday and Saturday of the month. Globe also accepts electronic waste like used phones, chargers, and accessories at selected offices nationwide.

We’re lucky to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Help protect these scenic spots—and their wildlife—for generations to come.

• Bring your own reusable essentials. Going on a daytrip? Bring your own water bottle, cutlery, food containers, and shopping bags.
• Bring trash bags. Separate recyclable and non-recyclable items and leave them at designated garbage disposal areas.
• Choose eco-friendly sunscreens. These are biodegradable and don’t contain chemicals that could harm marine life. Try: Beachborn Sunscreen Bar (₱341.50, Lazada) or Human Nature Safe Protect (₱349.75, Human Nature).
• Consider eco-friendly hotels. Pick a green hotel or resort that practices water conservation, responsible waste management, and renewable energy.

Sign up for your community’s coastal cleanup drive! Follow your city’s social media sites or contact local schools and malls for announcements.

You can also rally friends or other community members to start your own ocean cleanup. Visit the ICC website to download the form, then document your trash in their free Clean Swell app. 

Aside from participating in coastal cleanup, you can prevent trash from entering our waterways. Segregate waste and choose eco-friendly products and services. For example, reduce paper waste through GCash’s cashless transactions or the GlobeOne app’s paperless billing. Take a stand against ocean pollution today!