To tackle plastic waste, Philippines implements a law to make companies pay
The Philippines, a major contributor to global ocean plastic pollution, is implementing new legislation aimed at addressing its plastic waste crisis.
The "Extended Producer Responsibility" (EPR) law, which took effect last year, is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia to impose penalties on companies for plastic waste.
With a population of 120 million, the Philippines generates approximately 1.7 million metric tons of post-consumer plastic waste annually, according to the World Bank.
Of this, a significant portion ends up in landfills, dumpsites, or discarded in open areas. The EPR law seeks to achieve "plastic neutrality" by requiring large businesses to reduce their plastic pollution through improved product design and waste removal efforts.
Initially, companies must manage 20% of their plastic packaging footprint, which will increase to 80% by 2028.
The law covers various types of plastics, including those that are often non-recyclable. However, it does not impose a ban on popular single-use plastics, such as sachets, which pose significant recycling challenges.
So far, about half of the eligible companies have launched EPR programs, while over a thousand others must comply by the end of December or face fines of up to 20 million pesos (approximately $343,000) or even the revocation of their operating licenses.
According to Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, the EPR law removed 486,000 tons of plastic waste from the environment last year, exceeding the initial target. The legislation is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the Philippines' environmental impact from plastic pollution.
Companies can outsource their responsibilities to "producer responsibility organizations" that utilize a system of plastic credits. This allows companies to purchase certificates indicating that a metric ton of plastic has been either recycled, upcycled, or processed for energy recovery.
PCX Solutions, a leading player in the market, offers local credits ranging from around $100 for mixed plastics to over $500 for ocean-bound PET plastic.
For individuals like Marita Blanco, a widowed mother living in a low-income area of Manila, this initiative has provided new economic opportunities. Blanco collects plastic waste, selling it to charities that partner with PCX Solutions for processing.
“I didn’t know that there was money in garbage,” AFP quoted her.
