Single-use plastics for dine-in transactions are banned in Quezon City starting on July 1. Hotels and restaurants are no longer allowed to provide disposable plastics to customers, per the city’s ordinance. Violators will be fined amounts ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and risk getting their business permit revoked.
Resume Ban on Single-Use Plastics
In a press release from the Quezon City government last February, they announced the city-wide plastic ban beginning March 1, per City Ordinance 2868-2019. Reusable bags or eco-bags are encouraged instead. From July 1 onwards, disposable and single-use plastics in restaurants and hotels for dine-in transactions will also be banned, as stated in City Ordinance 2876-2019.
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Prohibited Disposable Items
Restaurants are not allowed to provide single-use plastic or disposable materials to dine-in customers. These include, but are not limited to, items like plastic cutlery, plastic/paper cups, plates, and straws, coffee stirrers, and Styrofoam.
Hotels cannot distribute sanitary items that come in sachets and single-use containers to the guest. These go for soap, shampoo, shower gels, liquid soap, conditioners, and other items used for hygienic purposes.
Sanctions for Violators
First-time offenders will receive a fine of P1,000. A second offense will result in a P3,000 fine and revocation of environmental clearance and issuance of a cease-and-desist order by the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD). On the third offense, a P5,000 fine will be imposed, as well as a revocation of their Business Permit and issuance of the closure order.
Food delivery and takeout orders may still include disposable materials and are encouraged to adopt a by-request protocol. Single-use plastic utensils and condiment sachets are provided only upon the request of the customer. Starting in 2022, there will also be a ban on brown paper bags in grocery and retail stores.
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