Plastic Research: What is it and why is it important? Explained by SLSU Bontoc Faculty
UP Tacloban City - Plastic Research-Intensive Methods Training Program (PRIMe-TP) conducted an is an all-expense paid training program for early-career plastics researchers in Visayas at the University of the Philippines Tacloban City on March 16-23, 2024.
PRIMe-TP Visayas is brought by the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory of the UP-Marine Science Institute, the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc., Holcim, One Earth-One Ocean and the Circular Explorer in cooperation with the UP Tacloban College- Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
The training-workshop highlighted the procedure in collecting water samples, biota and sediments, sampling processing including drying and sieving, density separation, biological/chemical digestion, and filtration, and lastly characterization through the use of Nile red staining, microscopy, and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy).
To empower and promote sustainable plastic use in the community, a roadshow event was conducted at the Fisherman’s Village Elementary School. In the PRIMe-TP Visayas cluster, Ms. Rio Phelan Latoreno from SLSU Bontoc Campus and Ms. Cherryhel Toralde from Southern Leyte State University- Hinunangan Campus was nominated as the assistant batch representatives. They spearheaded the execution of the roadshow activities, preparation and distribution of pamphlets for the elementary students.
Moreover, the selected grade level in the roadshow activity was taught about the plastic pollution situation in the country, proper segregation of trash and reduction of single used plastics.
ABOUT PLASTIC RESEARCH
In a study done by Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey in 2015, the Philippines is the third-ranking contributor to plastic pollution in the world. Hence, plastic research has been given importance to intensify the understanding of benefits and concerns surrounding the use of plastics.
In SLSU Bontoc Campus whose flagship program is Marine Biology and Fisheries have been proactive in promoting and protecting the marine environment and the life surrounding it.
Ms. Latoreno said, “The training program equipped me with new knowledge and techniques in conducting plastic research that was helpful in finalizing the methods and execution of the thesis my students in marine biology.“
According to Ms. Latoreno, currently there is no absolute data in terms of plastic use and disposal in Southern Leyte. With this pressing concern, her students were encouraged to conduct their thesis on macro-microplastic research in the region.
“By conducting macro-and microplastic research in Southern Leyte, specifically in Sogod Bay, this would be a stepping stone for us to contribute to the plastic research database called PlastiCount Pilipinas. This database aims to monitor the plastic pollution in the coastal and marine environment in our country.”
Plastic researchers are hopeful that through this database, it could be used as reference in refining solid waste management, strengthen policies, and used for education to protect marine life and the health of people.
