Ecowaste Coalition

15/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE | Warning Out on Squishy Toys as UK Seizes Over Half a Million Units Deemed Unsafe

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Following UK warnings and product seizures, EcoWaste Coalition cautioned parents and kids against buying unapproved squishy toys, as such products may pose health and safety risks.

During the last several weeks, local councils across the UK conducted inspections and seizures targeting soft, squeezable, and stretchable toys, including those shaped like buns or dumplings. Safety concerns were raised due to the squishy toys’ 1) lack of legal safety markings in the packaging, and 2) petrol-like chemical smell.

EcoWaste Coalition's market monitoring on June 12 shows similar “made in China” products of diverse designs and sizes are sold on sidewalks and in shopping malls in Binondo, Manila. These toys have not been evaluated and authorized for market release by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in violation of Republic Act No. 9711, or the FDA Act of 2009. They are also insufficiently labeled, breaching the mandatory requirements of Republic Act No. 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013.

[Access the full press release in the comments.]

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

It’s been more than a century since our valiant heroes liberated the country from its colonizers. The fight, however, is far from over as Filipinos still find themselves incapable of upholding their democratic rights, shackled by a myriad of issues—the ongoing environmental crisis among them.

As we join the nation in honoring our brave freedom fighters this , so too do we celebrate environmental groups, advocates, informal waste workers, community members, and everyone who continuously fight for environmental justice. Let us strive to continue emulating the courage and strength of our national heroes so we can break free from waste and toxics and finally achieve a just, healthy, and sustainable future.

11/06/2026

IN PHOTOS | ECOWASTE COALITION LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP WITH MANGGAGAWA SA KOMUNIKASYON NG PILIPINAS TO CHAMPION ENVIRONMENTAL AND LABOR JUSTICE ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

The EcoWaste Coalition (EWC), through the Plastic Free Pilipinas Project, commemorated World Environment Day with a newly launched partnership with the Manggagawa sa Komunikasyon ng Pilipinas (MKP) last June 5, spearheading a shared commitment to promote environmental and workers' rights together.

The partnership, which underscores the interplay between environmental justice and labor and human rights, aims to integrate zero waste frameworks and reuse and refill systems through union-management collaboration to ensure long-term behavior change among MKP workers.

Keo Concepcion, President of MKP, stressed that protecting the environment is not divorced from the fight for workers' rights. "Hindi ito ibang laban. Kung mayroon mang totoong environmentalista, iyon ay ang mga unyonista, dahil ang ginagawa lamang ng mga manggagawa ay proteksiyunan ang kanilang mga sarili, ang kapakanan ng bawat isa,” he added.

Complete with uplifting messages of commitment and riveting cultural performances, EWC and MKP made the partnership official via a Memorandum of Understanding signing event, which carried the slogan “Environmental Justice is Labor Justice: Choose Zero Waste, Choose Reuse!”

11/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE | EcoWaste Coalition: Illegal Importation of Lead-Containing Paints Persists

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Despite the national ban on lead in paint production, the EcoWaste Coalition uncovered additional spray paint brands that contain one or more colors with lead. This toxic chemical affects multiple body systems and is particularly damaging to the brain and nervous system.

Purchased from online sellers for P81 to P164 per can, the Amazing High Gloss Spray Paint, Wei Yue Spray Paint, and Herios Spray Paint were found to contain lead above the legal limit of 90 parts per million (ppm).

Using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device to identify and measure lead in dry paint samples, the EcoWaste Coalition detected lead levels of 22,750, 14,560, and 416 ppm in the Jialing red, fresh green, and lemon yellow Amazing paints. The green and yellow Wei Yue paints were found to contain 37,790 and 329 ppm of lead, while the yellow Herios paint contained a whopping 92,800 ppm lead.

[Access the full press release in the comments.]

09/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE | EcoWaste Coalition Echoes US FDA Warnings on Unsafe Skin Lightening Products with Mercury and/or Hydroquinone

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The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition reiterated the warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against skin lightening products containing high levels of mercury and/or hydroquinone.

"We urge anyone using mercury-tainted skin whiteners to immediately heed health warnings, stop application, and seek medical advice," said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “We also call on the public to shun colorism and the pressure to alter their complexion, reminding everyone that all skin tones are beautiful."

The US FDA warned consumers on June 1 not to use skin lightening products with mercury and/or hydroquinone. The agency also published a list of 30 unsafe products after testing them in its laboratories.

[Access the full press release in the comments.]

08/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE | EcoWaste Coalition Flags Lead Exposure Risks in Some Back-to-School Supplies

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Hazardous chemicals like lead, which harm developing brains, must not be used in children’s products, including backpacks and other school supplies.

The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition reiterated the importance of keeping lead and other harmful substances out of children’s products as the academic year 2026-2027 commences on June 8.

“As no amount of lead exposure is without risk, manufacturers and regulators must eliminate all avoidable sources of lead exposure in products marketed for children’s use so they can grow up healthy and safe,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “Labeling information on chemicals in children’s products must also be made mandatory to guide consumers in making sound choices. Consumers have the right to know what they are spending on and be protected against toxic exposure.”

[Access the full press release in the comments.]

06/06/2026

Nanawagan ang EcoWaste Coalition para sa mas mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng mga batas sa pangangalaga ng kapaligiran at wastong pamamahala ng basura sa bansa.

Sa panayam, sinabi ni Kweyn Tagaduar, Campaigner for Reuse ng EcoWaste Coalition, na mahalagang palakasin ang pagkilos laban sa lumalalang krisis sa polusyon at basura sa Pilipinas.

05/06/2026

This World Environment Day, the EcoWaste Coalition joined communities, partners, workers, local organizations, and environmental advocates across the Philippines in advancing solutions for a healthier and more sustainable future.

From strengthening partnerships for environmental action, engaging the public on sustainable waste management, conducting waste assessments, and building the capacities of communities to uphold environmental rights, today's activities reflect our continuing commitment to a waste- and toxics-free Philippines.

As environmental challenges continue to affect communities nationwide, collective action remains key. Together, we can turn awareness into action and build lasting solutions that protect people, public health, and the environment.

05/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE | EcoWaste Coalition Opposes H.B. 7575, Calls on Congress to Uphold R.A. 9003

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In observance of World Environment Day, the EcoWaste Coalition strongly expressed its opposition to House Bill No. 7575, a proposed measure that seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the bill aims to replace sanitary landfills with waste-to-energy incineration facilities nationwide.

The Coalition highlighted the irony of this proposal in the comments it submitted to the House of Representatives, noting Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself signed R.A. 9003 into law during her presidency. R.A. 9003 stands as a landmark environmental policy that explicitly promotes best practices in ecological waste management while excluding incineration.

The submission comes amid ongoing discussions on the future of waste management in the Philippines and the role of existing policies in addressing the country's growing waste challenges. For over two decades, R.A. 9003 has served as the primary guide for managing waste in the Philippines. The law focuses on preventing waste at the source through segregation, reuse, recycling, composting, and active community participation.

[Access the full press release in the comments.]