Plastic wrappers, bags and beverage containers made up much of the more than 12 tons of waste collected during Lapu-Lapu City’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2026 on Sept. 19.
The city recovered 12,334.40 kilograms of mixed waste, equivalent to about 1,779 sacks, from 15 designated coastal areas across mainland Lapu-Lapu and the island barangays of Olango, Pangan-an, Caohagan and Caubian.
Food wrappers accounted for the largest number of individual marine litter items at 12,747 pieces, followed by other plastic bags with 6,841 and plastic grocery bags with 6,584.
Volunteers also collected 5,666 plastic beverage bottles, 4,520 beverage sachets and pouches, 4,383 plastic cups and plates, and 3,551 plastic bottle caps.
Other commonly recovered items included 3,463 plastic food containers, 3,096 plastic and foam pieces, and 2,813 plastic sachets used for products such as detergent and shampoo.
The waste figures were based on the consolidated report of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region VII and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).
About 6,800 volunteers from 91 organizations and institutions participated in the cleanup, while another 100 divers joined the Scubasurero underwater cleanup.
CENRO Officer-in-Charge Jocelyn Abayan said the larger volume of waste collected this year should also be considered alongside the significant increase in participation.
The city recorded 3,691 volunteers during last year’s ICC, compared with more than 6,800 this year.
Abayan said the higher turnout allowed volunteers to recover more waste while also reflecting broader public participation in efforts to maintain Lapu-Lapu’s coastal areas.
Following the cleanup, CENRO plans to strengthen information and education campaigns on proper waste segregation and continue enforcing regulations on single-use plastics and the city’s waste management ordinance.
The office will also intensify waste management education in coastal barangays, where improperly disposed waste can eventually reach the sea.
The cleanup was conducted in coordination with DENR Region VII, Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup Philippines and other environmental partners.
Photo courtesy of Lapu-Lapu Information Office
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