How to observe Undas in an eco-friendly way

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

As the public visits cemeteries for this year’s Undas, an environmental watchdog made an appeal to minimize waste and protect the environment while doing so.

“Every November 1 and 2, millions of Filipinos visit cemeteries to honor departed loved ones. However, the tradition also generates a surge in waste, often left behind due to inadequate waste management and weak enforcement of regulations,” BAN Toxics said in a statement.

“If not properly managed, these can contribute to plastic pollution and undermine efforts to keep public spaces clean and safe,” it added.

According to BAN Toxics, the Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery recorded a combined 278 metric tons of waste, equivalent to more than 45 truckloads, on the first day of Undas last year.

Among the most common types of waste found in cemeteries are single-use plastic bottles, food wrappers, discarded candle packaging, and other disposable materials.

Here are some tips to observe an eco-friendly Undas:

1. Bring reusable items such as food containers, water bottles, and utensils. Avoid styrofoam, disposable plastics, and other single-use items, such as plastic straws, cups, and plates, that contribute to plastic pollution.

2. Segregate waste properly by placing trash in designated bins and observe cemetery rules on hygiene.

3. Bring enough food and drinks to avoid spoilage and unnecessary leftovers.

4. Offer candles and flowers responsibly. Avoid lead-core candle wicks to prevent potential exposure to toxic chemicals and choose flowers without plastic wraps.

5. Choose lead-safe paint when painting or repairing tombs.

6. Take your waste at home if bins are full and dispose of it properly. Help prevent waste from accumulating in walkways, burial areas, and surrounding communities.

BAN Toxics said honoring the dead should also mean caring for the living and protecting the environment.

“Let us not allow the resting places of our departed loved ones to become dumping grounds for garbage,” it said.

“This Undas, let remembrance go hand in hand with responsibility. Let us commemorate with environmental care, practice waste reduction, and make 𝘡𝘦𝘳𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 #Undas2026 a shared commitment,” it added.

On Sunday morning, November 1, around 400 visitors were initially reported at the Manila South Cemetery in Makati City, which is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Manila North Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the country, located in the City of Manila, has so far recorded 2,800 visitors as of early Sunday.

Over 111,000 policemen are deployed to enforce security across the country for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day from Nov. 1 to 2. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News