PASAY CITY, Philippines (22 March 2023) — A one-of-a-kind art exhibit promises to give viewers a multi-sensory experience of something we take for granted as a given in everyday life—plastic waste. Launched this Wednesday, the mobile exhibit, titled “Life in Plastic” is organized by Greenpeace Philippines, in collaboration with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute (ESI), University of the Philippines Diliman Student Council (UPD USC), UP One Earth (UPOE), FASH, EARTH-UST and EcoWaste Coalition. It is currently running at the Talyer 15 gallery in Henry Hotel Manila, and is open to the public free of charge.
“Life in Plastic” raises awareness on the worsening state of plastic pollution and how it affects quality of life. Featuring interactive art pieces created entirely from plastic wastes recovered from past brand audits [1], the exhibit provides an immersive and multi-sensory experience, allowing guests to not only see the impacts of plastics, but also let them feel, hear, smell, and even taste them. The art pieces are made in partnership with up-and-coming student artists from the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines.
“Plastics started as a wonder product in the 50s and 60s. It brought a lot of convenience. But a few decades on, we’re now paying the price in the form of a degraded planet and toxic pollution that practically lasts forever,” said Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Marian Ledesma. “Plastic has become so ubiquitous that the majority of its impacts escape the naked eye. Microplastics are in the food that we eat, the clothes that we wear, even in the air that we breathe. It’s everywhere.”
She continued, “This is the goal of the ‘Life in Plastic’ art exhibit. More than seeing plastic wastes as the usual eyesores, it’s also putting the spotlight on the ‘invisible effects’ of plastics. It’s alarming, particularly because in reality we don’t have good policies that aren’t industry-aligned that can effectively regulate its production and use. We’d like to see the biggest corporations, who also happen to be the biggest plastic producers, experience how the packaging they produce disrupts lives and health. All the trash we see in this exhibit comes from them, and this is just a tiny fraction of the entire waste they produce annually.”
Coinciding with the celebration of World Water Day, the exhibit also explores the presence of microplastics in drinking water, exacerbating the global water crisis. Similarly, plastics pose a severe threat to the world’s waters, putting marine biodiversity at risk. Based on a recently published research, a rapid increase in marine plastic pollution has been observed, with over 170 trillion plastic particles covering the oceans in a ‘plastic smog.’
“Latest studies revealed that plastic pollution in the oceans is at an unprecedented rate. Plastic has also been found in the bottom part of the lungs, and even in our blood. Plastic does not only affect our oceans and food chain, but is also very alarming to our health. We have to create urgent and lasting solutions to end the plastic crisis,” concluded Coleen Salamat, Plastic Solutions Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
Supported by academic institutions and youth organizations, the “Life in Plastic” art exhibit will be mounted in different schools in Metro Manila and in nearby provinces after its public opening. The exhibit will make rounds in Miriam College, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines Manila, University of the Philippines Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University Dasmarinas, with the goal of partnering with more schools nationwide.
“We must and can break free from plastics! Plastic pollution is one of the three planetary crises, along with climate change and biodiversity loss. Everything is interconnected. Our reliance on fossil fuel is connected to plastic proliferation and mounting plastic pollution,” said Sr. Marvelous L. Misolas, MM, Executive Director of Miriam College’s ESI. “Miriam College is committed to zero SUP and one of the first institutions who has a Zero SUP policy in place since 2020. Our partnership with Greenpeace in this exhibit reflects our deep commitment to the implementation of the Zero SUP policy. Miriam College supports a plastic-free future!”
“The Commission remains committed to advocating for circular economy approaches to be mainstreamed in all government programs, primarily to address the lingering plastic crisis and to promote lifestyle changes towards sustainability,” said Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera of the Climate Change Commission. “We need to continue working together whether as government, civil society, or private sector, towards developing innovative and green systems and products. This work must be supported by policy reforms and the needed financing, to be truly transformational.”
The exhibit will be open to the public from March 22 to March 25, 2023 at Talyer 15, Henry Hotel Manila. The launch was complemented by a panel discussion of alternative zero waste solutions initiated by communities, including the installation of refilling stations in sari-sari stores in San Juan City, and the SUP-free policies implemented by the City Schools Division of Dasmariñas. Actor and environmental advocate, Jun Sabayton, along with various youth leaders, also expressed messages of support at the said event, calling for swift action to address the plastic crisis.
“‘Life in Plastic’ resonates with most of us because not a single day goes by without us seeing or using plastic. It is everywhere all the time and as much as we want to eliminate use of single-use plastics and promote greener options, several factors make this difficult for us consumers,” said Ma. Barbara Manalaysay, Co-President of UPOE. “UP One Earth demands accountability. Yes, individual action is good but it is also time that we recognize its limits and acknowledge that a big part of our plastic problem comes from the system. We want to encourage everyone to join our calls and demand policy changes from the government and large-scale corporations to make sustainable and eco-friendly living an easier choice for the Filipino people.”
“Ending plastic pollution needs the cooperation and accountability of everyone. Let’s urge the government and corporations to do their part and implement a systemic change that will result in a more sustainable society,” said Rei Eblamo, Vice President for External Affairs, EARTH-UST.
“Plastic has become so widespread, permeating nearly every aspect of our lives, from the packaging of the food that we eat to the fibers in the clothes we wear. We have exchanged the cost of this convenience at the expense of our environment’s health as it surrounds us and our daily activities. As we begin to feel the consequences of these choices through the damaging effects of plastic waste on our planet, this calls us to reevaluate our choices and seek sustainable solutions. In FASH, we advocate for a shift toward sustainable and ethical practices in the fashion industry, highlighting the value of reducing our reliance on adverse production and consumption practices in an effort to move towards a more sustainable future with a conscious and proactive community at the forefront,” said Bella Murga, Director, FASH.
“Together, through the ‘Life in Plastic’ Art Exhibit, let’s advance towards a plastic-free future by urging the government to hold corporations accountable for their large contribution to plastic pollution and to implement progressive, pro-people, and pro-environment policies,” concluded Therese Mangussad, Environmental Concerns Committee Co-Head, USC UPD.
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Notes to editors:
[1] Brand Audits are citizen science initiatives that serve to go beyond clean-up activities. Plastics are collected from their respective waste streams and are audited based on brand and plastic type.
For more information, please contact:
Eunille Santos, Digital Campaigner Greenpeace Philippines | [email protected] | +63 9175411248
Maverick Flores, Communication Campaigner Greenpeace Philippines | [email protected] | +63 9176211552