As the festive season of Christmas and New Year approaches, a leading environmental group is calling for a major shift in how Filipinos celebrate. The EcoWaste Coalition is urging families and communities across the nation to embrace a new guiding principle for their festivities: the 3Ps.
What Are the 3Ps for a Greener Holiday?
The coalition defines the 3Ps as People-friendly, Pet-friendly, and Planet-friendly celebrations. The call was made public on December 23, 2025, by the group's National Coordinator, Aileen Lucero. She emphasized that this mindful approach is crucial to minimizing the negative impacts of the holidays, especially amid the ongoing climate crisis.
"We encourage everyone to make the Christmas and New Year festivities people-, pet- and planet-friendly," Lucero stated. "By being mindful of the 3Ps, we minimize the impacts of the joyful holidays on our people’s health, our pets’ safety, and our planet’s well-being."
Harmful Practices to Avoid This Season
Lucero highlighted that this advocacy aligns with the Department of Health's Ligtas Christmas program. She pointed out several common holiday practices that contradict the constitutional rights to health and a balanced ecology. The EcoWaste Coalition identifies these as major threats:
- Excessive Waste: The rampant use of disposable plastic and paper items during parties, coupled with a "throw-away" culture, leads to massive spikes in holiday trash, or "holitrash." This burdens waste collection systems funded by public taxes.
- Improper Disposal: The open burning and dumping of this holiday waste in streets, creeks, and vacant lots after the celebrations, which severely pollutes air, soil, and water.
- Dangerous Explosives: The detonation of firecrackers and fireworks on New Year's Eve remains a top concern. These devices cause injuries, fires, toxic smoke, and leave behind hazardous garbage.
How to Celebrate with the 3Ps in Mind
To guide the public toward safer and more sustainable merrymaking, the EcoWaste Coalition provided concrete recommendations:
- Choose Simplicity: Opt for modest celebrations over lavish spending. The money saved can help those in need, such as survivors of recent earthquakes and typhoons. Commit to reusing items, refilling containers, and avoiding food waste.
- Segregate Waste Properly: Correctly sorting discards prevents contamination and makes recycling, composting, and repair much easier. The mantra is: "Mix not, burn not, dump not thy waste."
- Shun Firecrackers and Fireworks: Avoid all forms of pyrotechnics, including PVC "boga." These devices cause injuries, worsen air quality, trigger health problems, and create noise pollution that terrifies pets and wildlife.
The coalition encourages the use of alternative, harmless noisemakers. Creative options include "pa-alog" shakers made from used boxes filled with coins or bottle caps, tambourines from tin cans, coconut shells, musical instruments, and even pots and pans.
Expert Warns of Broader Impacts
Dr. Percival Lao of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, speaking at a recent EcoWaste event, reinforced the dangers. "Firecrackers and fireworks are not toys for children," he warned, noting the serious injuries they cause. "But the risks extend beyond human health."
He explained the interconnected harm: "Loud explosions cause significant distress to pets and wildlife, triggering panic and even fatal stress. The hazardous smoke and debris contaminate our air, water, and soil, affecting ecosystems that humans and animals alike depend on."
The EcoWaste Coalition's message is clear: a truly joyful and meaningful holiday is one that safeguards the well-being of every family member—including the furry ones—and protects the environment we all share.
