Organics industry touts waste reduction approaches to mitigating climate change

THE organics industry said it advocates minimizing waste as a response to climate change, an approach that requires food waste to be minimized and plant-based diets to be embraced.

At the Organics Fair on Thursday staged by the Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), MEF said it aims to promote “positive ripple effects in catalyzing action for food waste reduction, sustainable food consumption, healthy plant-based diets, and organic agriculture.”

“This is to mainstream organics management here in the Philippines and also promoting the repair-refill-reuse program of Mother Earth Foundation. Also, to collaborate with fellow advocates — to show to the public that we can manage our organic waste,” Rannie M. Lebria, MEF program officer, told BusinessWorld.

Over 22 micro, small, and medium enterprises exhibited their organic products at the fair, including food and bamboo-based hygiene supplies.

The fair also featured demonstrations of composting techniques.

Senator Loren B. Lagarda, who heads her chamber’s committee on the environment, said in a statement: “We need to correct our behavior and mindset when it comes to single-use plastics by adopting more sustainable practices to mitigate their detrimental effects on our environment, health, and climate.”

The event was staged in collaboration with the Environmental Management Bureau office in the National Capital Region, the Climate Change Commission, community engagement group Alagang Ayala Land, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives Asia-Pacific and UMI Fund.

The Organics Fair runs until Jan. 27 at the Ayala Malls Trinoma Activity Center. Hours are between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera