The “squeeze and hold” method in removing the seedling from the black bag allows the plastic bag to be reuse to pot new seedling, DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will recycle the black plastic bags used in potting seedlings to cut the cost of implementing the National Greening Program (NGP).
The cost of plastic bags alone to be used to pot seedlings from 2011 to 2016 is the P750 million, but with recycling, the cost will be reduce to at least half, Paje said.
Paje also said that the measure will also demonstrate this administration’s commitment to putting public money to efficient and good use.
The recent NGP tree planting activity of 20,000 seedlings held at the foot of mount Banahaw in Sariaya, Quezon led by the environment chief was an example.
“By adopting the squeeze-and-hold method” the volunteers were able to remove the seedlings from the plastic bags with ease and efficiency, Paje observed. But advised, however, that care should be taken by the planter in removing the seedling from the bag so as not to disturb the root system.
“Squeeze-and-hold” is a method whereby the soil around the seedling base is gently squeezed, thereby compacting it, and then the base is carefully pushed upward.
The recycle would not only ensure economic savings but would also reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags used in NGP, Paje said. Ester Gallardo, PSciJourn MegaManila
