City reiterates DENR guidelines on PPE disposal

The city government reiterated the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-recommended guidelines on the disposal of personal protection equipment like face masks and face shields to protect the health of the public and prevent a repeat of the typhoon “Maring” experience where wastes mostly strewn PPEs clogged drainage inlets and caused flooding at the central business district.

PPEs are considered toxic wastes and therefore should not be discarded anywhere or mixed with other household garbage especially the recyclable ones to avoid contamination, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.

Moreover, he said proper disposal of these wastes would have prevented the typhoon incident where responders found clumps of wastes mostly face shields covered waterway inlets resulting to the accumulation of rainwater along streets including Harrison Road.

The typhoon may have unleashed abnormal volume of rainfall but flooding could have been avoided if the drainage had remained unobstructed, the mayor said. 

City General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan said the DENR had recommended color coding for receptacles to be used for PPE discards, particularly yellow colored containers or bags to alert those handling the wastes.

Buyucan however said they can allow other colors of receptacles but these have to be labeled as “PPEs” or “used face masks” to inform and warn garbage collectors.

He said people should take to heart reminders for proper disposal of these wastes because ignoring or neglecting these advisories might lead to compromising their own health or that of their own family members.
“It’s for our own good so please let us abide.  Throw your waste property,” he said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo