Abstract:
This study focused on the
characterisation of macro-plastic waste in
terms of types and quantities along the
Philippines' longest coastal boulevard,
considering density and cleanliness as a basis
for solid waste management and policy
formulation. Macro-plastic identification and
counting were conducted in four (4)
municipalities and eight (8) barangays using
the standing stock survey method. There were
six (6) types of macro-plastic waste, with the
highest quantity consisting of beverage
(37.2%) and food packaging (30.5%),
followed by fishing gear (17.0%), plastic
utensils (9.2%), toiletries (4.8%) and
household wastes (1.4%). The computed
overall density from a total of 3,978 macroplastic
waste items over 12,000 m2 of beach
area sampled was 0.3 (CM), meaning there
were 0.3 litter items of plastic per m2
throughout the whole boulevard. The
computed overall beach cleanliness was 6.6,
which means that the cleanliness status is
moderate. Overall, most macro-plastic waste
is generated by locals or visitors. In
conclusion, a policy regulating the use,
littering, and carrying of plastic along
boulevards is recommended to prevent plastic
pollution considering the province's growing
ecotourism and the future expansion of the
coastal boulevard.
