This bill seeks to prohibit fast food chains from using styrofor, to address the depletion of our ozone layer and prevent loss of life on planet Earth.
The styrofor is a trademark name for thermal insulation material, manufactured by Dow Chemical Company. This styrofor contains chlorofluorocarbons that are danger and destroyer of the ozone. 15% to 20% of global warming contributed from the biomine in the CFCs of styrofor. The chlorine in the CFCs is released into thr upper atmosphere. It reacts with the ozone and causes it to be thinner.
The ozone layer is a portion of earth’s atmosphere that contains high levels of ozone. The ozone layer is essential for human life. It is able to absorb ultraviolet radiation, preventing penetration to the earth’s surface. Ultraviolet radiation is harmful to life because this radiation can enter cells and destroy many life forms on planet Earth. Without the ozone layer, UV radiation would not be filled as it reached the surface of the Earth.
Using styrofor, containing chlorofluorocarbons would have produced global warming. Many of the hottest years on record have occurred in recent years, including the lowest low pressure zones ever recorded followed history. There are random events but ara almost certainty direct consequences of human induced changes in Earth’s atmosphere. Global warming is having its impact on virtually all plants and animals, including humans and its effects will continue to intensity into the foreseeable future.
The ozone layer is further thinned by the released of the chlorofluorocarbons. Lately, Scientists have located o a hole in the ozone, above the Antarctic, the size of the America. Alarmed by the development, the Berkeley, California was one of the first cities in the world to ban polystyrene food packaging. It was also banned in Portland, OR and Suffolk County, NY in 1990, Now over 20 US cities have banned polystyrene food packaging, including Oakland, CA on Jan `1st 2007, San Francisco introduced a ban on the packaging on June 1st 2007.
This bill aims to eliminate the use of styrofor in fast food chains and monitoring the possible environmental impact of the styrofor.
The early enactment of this bill is therefore earnestly sought.

DIVINE KATHYLIN SAN JUAN

Republic of the Philippines
YOUTH CONGRESS

Baguio City

Introduced by DIVINE KATHYLIN SAN JUAN

AN ACT
PROHIBITING FAST FOOD CHAINS FROM USING STYROFOR, AS A CANNESTER OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES, THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER, AND PROHIBIT PENALTIES THEREOF.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as the “ Fast Food Styro Ban Act of 2007”.
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the term:
“Fast Food Chains” - is food that can be prepared and served very quickly. Stereotypical restaurant fast food is cooked in bulk and in advance and kept warm, or reheated to order. Fast food can also include TV dinners and other foods that can be cooked easily by the consumer, and food from restaurants that cook their food to order but specialize in doing so quickly.
“ Styrofor” - a rigid clear thermoplastic polymer that can be molded into objects or made into a foam that is used to insulate refrigerators.
“Ozone Depletion” - a slow, steady decline of about 4 percent per decade in the total amount of ozone in Earth's stratosphere.
SECTION 3. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the state to protect the right of the people to the healthful and balanced ecology. it shall prohibit the use of styrofor, which have an adverse effect on the ozone layer the shields the earth from incoming ultra violet radiation.
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. – It is hereby declared unlawful to use product enumerated in Sec.2. Paragraph 2 hereof, in all fast food chains.
SECTION 5. Penalties. – violation of Section 4 hereby shall be punished with a fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) – One hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00).
The offense committed by, or in conspiracy with, a corporation, the officers and directors of the said corporation shall be jointly and solidarity liable with the corporation.
Furthermore, the styrofor used in violation of Sec.4 shall be forfeited in favor of the Government. To this end, the Government shall provide environmental-Sound disposal methods for the same.
SECTION 6. Researchers. – The DENR, in coordination with the DOST and other appropriate government agencies such as the Philippine Atmosphere, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), shall conduct continuing research of the possible environmental impact of the various uses of such styrofor. Based on the results of such research, the DENR shall recommend the depletion of appropriate national policies and/or further refinement of existing policies on using styrofor in fast food chains.
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – In the event that any provision of this act is declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remainder shall not be affected thereby.
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this act are herby repealed or amended accordingly.
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,

Labels: environment