Philippines' Efforts To Reduce Plastic Pollution

The Philippines has been dubbed the world's biggest ocean plastic polluter, with 36.38% of global oceanic plastic waste coming from the country in 2019. The plastic waste generated by the Philippines has severe consequences for the environment and the economy. In response to the plastic pollution crisis, the Philippines has implemented various measures, including legislation such as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The government, academia, and civil society are working together to address the issue through studies, consultations, and awareness-raising campaigns. However, there is still a lack of proper waste disposal facilities, and the country needs to transition to a more circular economy to effectively reduce plastic pollution.

The Philippines is transitioning to a circular economy to reduce plastic waste

The country is taking steps to address this issue by developing and transitioning towards a circular economy. This includes evaluating the role of the plastics recycling industry in supporting a circular economy and identifying challenges, market drivers, and opportunities for scaling up recycling efforts through targeted public and private sector interventions. The Philippines aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean, which is currently estimated at 20%.

One of the key challenges in the Philippines is the lack of access to disposal facilities and sanitary landfills, which has resulted in waste leaking into the oceans. The government has been criticised for failing to enforce existing laws and regulations surrounding waste disposal. However, the government, academia, and civil society have also made efforts to confront the issue through studies, consultations, and awareness-raising campaigns.

To address the plastic pollution crisis, the Philippines enacted the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which requires enterprises that generate plastic packaging waste to develop and implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program and take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management. This legislation aims to reduce the production of plastic waste and promote more sustainable practices.

The transition to a circular economy in the Philippines is a work in progress, and the country is exploring various interventions and actions to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.

The government has passed legislation to reduce plastic pollution

In 2022, the Philippines enacted the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, which requires enterprises that generate plastic packaging waste and have total assets of ₱100 million or more to develop and implement an EPR program and collect plastic packaging. The "polluter pays" principle is central to this, with producers of plastic packaging assuming full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management.

In addition to national legislation, many cities in the Philippines have implemented their own ordinances to manage plastic bags and other single-use plastics within their jurisdictions. For example, Makati City passed a waste management ordinance in 2003, giving restaurants, supermarkets, and other food establishments nine years to completely dispose of all plastic products, including Styrofoam. Muntinlupa City was the first city in Metro Manila to regulate the use of plastic bags, prohibiting their use and sale on all dry goods and as secondary packaging for wet goods. Las Piñas City adopted a similar ordinance, banning the distribution of thin-film, single-use plastic carry-out bags and polystyrene foam for individual and commercial consumption. Quezon City has passed four ordinances regulating plastic bags, including one that bans the distribution and use of single-use plastics, such as plastic cutlery, cups, plates, straws, stirrers, and Styrofoam.

The country has a high garbage collection rate, but waste is often improperly disposed of

The Philippines has a high garbage collection rate, especially in urban areas (around 85-90%), but waste is often improperly disposed of. This is due to a variety of factors, including a lack of enforcement of waste management laws, a lack of disposal facilities, and the proliferation of single-use plastics.

The country has passed several comprehensive laws and action plans to address plastic pollution, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter. However, there has been a lack of effective implementation and stakeholder involvement, which has hindered the success of these initiatives. For example, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act mandated that dumpsites be prohibited and converted into sanitary landfills by 2006, but as of 2016, there were still 403 open dumpsites and 108 controlled dumpsites in operation.

The improper disposal of waste is a significant issue in the Philippines, with rubbish often ending up in oceans and other waterways. This is partly due to the proximity of dumpsites to these water sources, as well as the lack of infrastructure to control waste leakage. The country's high consumption of single-use plastics, such as sachets and pouches, has also contributed to the problem. These materials are difficult or impossible to recycle and often end up in the ocean.

In addition, the Philippines' geographical characteristics present unique challenges to waste management. The country is comprised of more than 7,500 islands, many of which lack the necessary infrastructure and services for proper waste disposal. The high population density near waterways and coastal areas further exacerbates the problem.

To address these issues, the Philippines has taken steps towards transitioning to a circular economy, with a focus on improving recycling infrastructure and promoting reusable alternatives to single-use plastics. The government has also introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, which holds businesses accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management. However, more effective implementation and enforcement of existing laws, as well as increased investment in waste management infrastructure, are needed to achieve tangible results in reducing plastic pollution.

The government is encouraging the development of waste management solutions

The Philippines is transitioning towards a circular economy to address the growth of the plastics industry and mismanagement of plastic waste. The government is encouraging the development of waste management solutions by implementing various policies and regulations. Here are some examples:

The Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022: This act requires enterprises that generate plastic packaging waste and have total assets of ₱100 million or more to develop and implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. The "polluter pays" principle is central to this act, holding plastic packaging producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management.

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000: This act mandates the prohibition of open dumps for solid waste and the adoption of systematic waste segregation. However, there has been a lack of enforcement of this act, and dumpsites continue to operate in close proximity to waterways and coastal areas.

Ordinances in several cities: Many cities in the Philippines, such as Makati, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Las Piñas, Quezon, Marikina, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and Parañaque, have implemented ordinances to regulate or ban the use of plastic bags and other single-use plastics. These ordinances include fines, imprisonment, and loss of licenses for non-compliance.

The government is also addressing the issue of low compliance in establishing sanitary landfills. The high cost of closing dumpsites and strict regulations for building landfills, such as the requirement to build on clay and away from earthquake faults, have been challenges in this process.

Additionally, the government is working to increase the number of accessible recycling bins and promote awareness about plastic pollution to encourage proper waste classification and disposal.

The Philippines is a net exporter of plastic scrap

The Philippines has a high garbage collection rate, particularly in urban areas, due to the involvement of local communities in waste collection services. However, the country lacks proper disposal facilities, with 70% of Filipinos lacking access to disposal facilities and sanitary landfills. This has resulted in waste being improperly disposed of and leaking into the ocean. The country's coastal location and high precipitation also contribute to this issue, as surface runoff, stormwater, and sewage carry plastic debris into rivers and, ultimately, the sea.

To address this crisis, the Philippines has implemented various measures. The government, academia, and civil society have worked together to develop policies governing the consumption, recovery, and recycling of plastics. For example, the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 requires enterprises to develop and implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and collect plastic packaging. The "polluter pays" principle mandates that producers of plastic packaging assume full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management.

In addition to legislation, the Philippines has also established comprehensive action plans such as the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter. However, more effective implementation and stakeholder involvement are necessary to achieve tangible results in reducing plastic pollution.

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