Taking a firm and aggressive stance to reduce plastic waste, the Quezon City Government will prohibit disposables and single-use plastic (SUPs) bags, packaging, and cutleries within the Quezon City Hall compound and city government-run establishments.

Through Executive Order No. 3, Series of 2025, the use of plastic bags and packaging, styrofoam (polystyrene materials), disposable dishware such as paper plates, plastic utensils, PET bottles, plastic and paper cups will no longer be allowed inside Quezon City Hall buildings and other city-owned facilities starting April 21, 2025.

“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,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.

“Plastic waste clogs our drainage systems and contributes to severe flooding, as seen during recent typhoons. Plastic pollution is a growing crisis that endangers our health, our economy, and especially the well-being of our most vulnerable 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,” she added.

Employees will have to bring their reusable eco-bags when buying food and products outside the building facilities. They should also bring their reusable take-out containers when purchasing food from vendors and food stalls within and around the City Hall compound.

Likewise, the use of single-use cutlery will be prohibited for employees within the workplace. For clients and visitors, food from vendors may be served in disposable take-out containers, including utensils upon request. However, these items must not be brought inside the building.

Food deliveries will still be allowed inside city government buildings provided that recipient offices are required to recover the food containers and trade them at the Trash to Cashback booth. Deliveries that use plastic packaging, on the other hand, will not be permitted inside city government buildings.

The EO also reinforces the provisions of the Quezon City Green Public Procurement Ordinance (SP-3107, S-2021), which sets the guidelines for eliminating single-use plastics and disposable materials in all city-led activities, promoting the use of reusable and recyclable alternatives.

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 to discuss the policy’s provisions and address concerns and suggestions of affected concessionaires and stakeholders.

Ambulant vendors who fail to comply with the EO within city government premises will face penalties. Employees and officials found violating the rules will be issued formal reprimands or memoranda.

“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,” Mayor Belmonte added.

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