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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES /

AUG 0.8 2949

Quezon City
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EIGHTEENTH concress 9 \@" ae ia
First Regular Session Se &
3725 Luoey WA
HOUSE BILL No. 3725 _

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The bill seeks to prohibit the use of polystyrene food packaging from food service
businesses and operations, and put an end to the use of 'Styrofoam' and to encourage
businesses to use recyclable or compostable food containers.

‘There are currently no meaningful ways of recycling polystyrene based food packaging
and it must be disposed of as garbage hence, said material has limited usefulness.
Discarded polystyrene persists as litter and remains as such for the longest time posing
as hazard to the environment.

This legislation brings back the old habit of preparing foods ‘to go' in compostable and
recyclable alternatives that are available and serve the same purpose as non-
recyclable food service packaging.

More so, Styrofoam, made from styrene, is a suspected carcinogen and neurotoxin
that was recently limited by the Food and Drug Administration in bottled drinking
water. Studies have indicated that styrene residues are present in 100% of all human
fat tissue in the United States. Several epidemiologic studies suggest there may be an
association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukemia and
lymphoma.

It is in this light that immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

WO,

NY S. TAMBUNTING


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3725

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF DISPOSABLE POLYSTYRENE FOOD CONTAINER,
DISPOSABLE NONRECYCLABLE PLASTIC FOOD CONTAINER, AND
DISPOSABLE NONRECYCLABLE CONTENT PAPER CONTAINER, AND OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. State Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and advance the
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature.

SECTION 2. Purpose. — To encourage the use of compostable and recyclable
alternatives that are available and serve the same purpose as non-recyclable food
service packaging.

SECTION 3. Objective. - To determine and implement programs that maximize
material reuse and recycling and programs that will prohibit the use of materials that
has limited usefulness.

SECTION 4. Coverage. - This Act prohibits the use of polystyrene food packaging
from all food service businesses and operations.

SECTION 5. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the Following
terms are defined as follows:

a.) "Polystyrene food container" means a plastic container comprised of a majority
polystyrene plastic resin that is used to contain prepared food designed for one-
time use.

b.) "Non-recyclable plastic food container" means a plastic food container not made
from polyethylene (PET or PETE) of high density polyethylene (HDPE).


¢.) "Non-recyclable content paper container" means a food container containing
less than 100 percent consumer recycled paper content.

SECTION 5. Penalties. — Any business operator who violates any provision of this
article shall be punished by a fine not exceed P50,000 for a first offense; by a fine not
to exceed P:100,000 for a second offense; and by a fine not to exceed P150,000 for a
third and each subsequent offenses committed in any twelve-month period. Each day
that a business operator fails to comply with this article shall carry a separate and
distinct violation.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) together with the stakeholders and other
related government agencies and entities shall promulgate the rules and regulations
as it deems necessary and appropriate for the implementation and enforcement of
any provisions of this Act.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, presidential proclamation, rules, regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and ‘effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,