MANILA— The EcoWaste Coalition (EWC) has urged families visiting cemeteries during this year’s Undas to adopt environmentally friendly practices and minimize waste as millions are expected to pay tribute to their departed loved ones.

The group, together with member organization Samahan ng mga Mangangalakal sa Capulong, held a campaign at Manila North Cemetery under the theme “Puede nang Mangarap ng Isang Malinis na Undas,” featuring performances and the return of its Zombasura character to warn against littering in cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria.

Volunteers staged song and dance presentations and paraded around the cemetery while chanting, “Basura sa Undas: Iwasan! Bawasan!”

“Every year, we see the aftermath of thousands flocking to cemeteries during Undas season—heaps of trash scattered along sidewalks, overflowing bins, food wrappers and containers left behind on tombstones—and every year, we continue to forward this campaign to reduce trash and make Undas completely waste-free,” said Ochie Tolentino, EWC Zero Waste Campaigner.

The coalition also organized a candle-lighting ceremony, with each candle representing a commitment to respect the deceased while avoiding practices harmful to the environment.

As part of its campaign, EWC promoted nine recommendations under its “Cemetiquette” initiative, which encourages cemetery visitors to:

• Clean graves responsibly without burning or dumping waste on sidewalks or other people’s graves.
• Use lead-safe paint when repainting tombs and avoid dry sanding or scraping surfaces that may contain lead paint.
• Bring food and drinks in reusable containers and avoid bringing more than necessary.
• Avoid single-use plastics, including disposable bags, bottles, food containers and cutlery.
• Dispose of waste in designated bins or bring it home for proper sorting, recycling and composting.
• Choose locally grown flowers without plastic wrapping.
• Use clean-burning candles and avoid burning plastic receptacles.
• Use designated comfort rooms instead of urinating in public places or on graves.
• Refrain from smoking or vaping inside cemeteries.

In Cebu, EWC also partnered with barangays and parishes to conduct information campaigns on waste prevention and proper disposal during Kalag-kalag, the local observance of Undas.

Participants included cemetery administrators, lay leaders, chapel representatives and barangay tanods from Barangay Carreta, which hosts one of Cebu City’s major cemeteries.

The group also conducted awareness activities with members and leaders of the St. Augustine of Hippo Quasi-Parish in Barangay Inayawan.

More than 70 participants from Barangay Carreta took part in the Zero Waste Kalag-kalag education campaign, according to EWC.

The coalition will also conduct waste monitoring activities in memorial parks across Luzon on November 1 and 2, focusing on conditions such as dumpsites, segregated waste bins and trash burning.

Volunteers from the Diocese of Imus Ministry on Ecology, an EWC member organization, will join the monitoring effort and document both good and poor waste management practices in cemeteries across Cavite.

Tolentino said the campaign’s call for a waste-free Undas and a zero-waste future remains achievable through sustained public action.

“Habang may buhay, may pag-asa. Habang may patuloy na nangangarap at lumalaban para ikampanya ang lehitimo, makatao, at makakalikasang solusyon sa basura, hindi ito imposible,” she said.