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Driving plastic circularity in PH through collaboration
Driving plastic circularity in PH through collaboration
Nestlé Philippines
Published Dec 23, 2024 04:34 PM PHT
Photo source: Nestlé Philippines
Photo source: Nestlé PhilippinesRoughly 60 billion sachets are used annually in the Philippines, which make up nearly 80 percent of its total plastic waste. These are widely used to sell small quantities of consumer products, offering affordability and convenience to the majority. However, the lack of an adequate circular economy value chain is exacerbating the country's plastic waste crisis, particularly single-use plastics like sachets.
Roughly 60 billion sachets are used annually in the Philippines, which make up nearly 80 percent of its total plastic waste. These are widely used to sell small quantities of consumer products, offering affordability and convenience to the majority. However, the lack of an adequate circular economy value chain is exacerbating the country's plastic waste crisis, particularly single-use plastics like sachets.
Photo source: Nestlé Philippines
Photo source: Nestlé Philippines
Photo source: Nestlé Philippines
A whitepaper co-published by Nestlé Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pointed the overlapping factors that contribute to this problem, including challenges in collecting and segregating waste, lack of proper recycling facilities for flexible plastics, inadequate consumer behavior in segregation, and limited waste management companies that cannot cope with the requirements and volume of plastic waste.
A whitepaper co-published by Nestlé Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pointed the overlapping factors that contribute to this problem, including challenges in collecting and segregating waste, lack of proper recycling facilities for flexible plastics, inadequate consumer behavior in segregation, and limited waste management companies that cannot cope with the requirements and volume of plastic waste.
In addressing these barriers, creating a robust value chain is important. It requires the involvement of diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, private companies, local communities and even consumers, to establish a cohesive ecosystem for recycling initiatives and forward a circular economy for flexible plastics.
In addressing these barriers, creating a robust value chain is important. It requires the involvement of diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, private companies, local communities and even consumers, to establish a cohesive ecosystem for recycling initiatives and forward a circular economy for flexible plastics.
"With the proper infrastructure and an organized recycling chain, we can develop a circular economy. It is one where we give value to flexible plastics, and therefore minimize – if not avoid – its waste to landfill to nature [end of life], transforming it back into valuable materials like recycled packaging, and effectively addressing environmental pollution," explained Jose Uy III, SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs at Nestlé Philippines.
"With the proper infrastructure and an organized recycling chain, we can develop a circular economy. It is one where we give value to flexible plastics, and therefore minimize – if not avoid – its waste to landfill to nature [end of life], transforming it back into valuable materials like recycled packaging, and effectively addressing environmental pollution," explained Jose Uy III, SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs at Nestlé Philippines.
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In its commitment to shape a waste-free future, Nestlé Philippines is pursuing innovations in its product packaging through virgin plastic reduction and shifting to packaging that is designed for recycling. It has eliminated stretch film use in operations and is the first in the country to fully shift from plastic to paper straws for its ready-to-drink packs.
In its commitment to shape a waste-free future, Nestlé Philippines is pursuing innovations in its product packaging through virgin plastic reduction and shifting to packaging that is designed for recycling. It has eliminated stretch film use in operations and is the first in the country to fully shift from plastic to paper straws for its ready-to-drink packs.
Having the private sector and public offices collaborate may streamline recycling processes, lead to effective regulation, and encourage sustainable practices. As an example, government may make the country attractive for recycling companies to set up facilities through relevant laws that promote circularity and proper incentives. Through the support of relevant government agencies, this initiative may spur technological innovations, help establish recycling infrastructure and provide business incentives that enhance the overall sustainability of the recycling value chain in the Philippines.
Having the private sector and public offices collaborate may streamline recycling processes, lead to effective regulation, and encourage sustainable practices. As an example, government may make the country attractive for recycling companies to set up facilities through relevant laws that promote circularity and proper incentives. Through the support of relevant government agencies, this initiative may spur technological innovations, help establish recycling infrastructure and provide business incentives that enhance the overall sustainability of the recycling value chain in the Philippines.
Meaningful change may also be made in the grassroots levels by mobilizing local government initiatives and community engagement to increase awareness and develop social behavior change among Filipino consumers on proper segregation and the impact of waste on the environment.
Meaningful change may also be made in the grassroots levels by mobilizing local government initiatives and community engagement to increase awareness and develop social behavior change among Filipino consumers on proper segregation and the impact of waste on the environment.
Consumers and the general public play an important part in helping advance circularity and it starts with reducing reliance on unnecessary single-use plastics. Through proper education of the principles of circularity, consumer behavior towards waste handling and recycling may be improved. Using sustainable alternatives to unnecessary single-use plastics and choosing packaging designed for recycling should also be promoted to households alongside proper waste segregation and responsible consumption.
Consumers and the general public play an important part in helping advance circularity and it starts with reducing reliance on unnecessary single-use plastics. Through proper education of the principles of circularity, consumer behavior towards waste handling and recycling may be improved. Using sustainable alternatives to unnecessary single-use plastics and choosing packaging designed for recycling should also be promoted to households alongside proper waste segregation and responsible consumption.
Photo source: Nestlé Philippines
"The gravity of our plastic pollution crisis necessitates collective action because no one sector can do it alone. We invite local governments, civil society, businesses, academia, and individuals to join hands in this collective endeavor," said Jonas Leones, DENR Undersecretary.
"The gravity of our plastic pollution crisis necessitates collective action because no one sector can do it alone. We invite local governments, civil society, businesses, academia, and individuals to join hands in this collective endeavor," said Jonas Leones, DENR Undersecretary.
Filipino consumers also play a crucial role in tackling plastic waste alongside the private and public sectors. Whether by making small changes in our daily habits or supporting eco-friendly businesses, we can all contribute to a sustainable future. Together, we may turn the plastic problem into an opportunity for lasting environmental change.
Filipino consumers also play a crucial role in tackling plastic waste alongside the private and public sectors. Whether by making small changes in our daily habits or supporting eco-friendly businesses, we can all contribute to a sustainable future. Together, we may turn the plastic problem into an opportunity for lasting environmental change.
Photo source: Nestlé Philippines
The findings in this report were based on the shared insights, strategies, and recommendations gathered during the inaugural Philippine National Recycling Conference last February 2024 that served as a platform for conversations that aim to move the country forward towards recyclability and circularity. You may access and download the full version here.
The findings in this report were based on the shared insights, strategies, and recommendations gathered during the inaugural Philippine National Recycling Conference last February 2024 that served as a platform for conversations that aim to move the country forward towards recyclability and circularity. You may access and download the full version here.
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