DENR eyes 20% plastic neutrality by 2023

MANILA, Philippines— The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) aims to achieve at least 20 percent plastic neutrality in the next year, ensuring that the agency will meet deadlines for the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law.

During the meeting of the Senate panel on the environment, natural resources, and climate change on Tuesday, Undersecretary Jonas Leones said the DENR is set to draft this month the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the said law as it conducts a focus group discussion with stakeholders.

“We will be finalizing the draft IRR, and then we will be subjecting this to review of our executive committee, and hopefully, we can provide you a draft of the IRR by November 15,” he said.

Aside from that, the DENR is likewise planning to prepare a national framework for the EPR law, which will include new strategies for its implementation.

“Based on the provisions of the law, we will be starting this plastic neutrality by 2023 for 20 percent only, and then by 2028, at least 80 percent,” Leones said.

He also mentioned that corporations must submit their annual recovery targets by October next year.

The Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, or Republic Act No. 11898, lapsed into law on July 23, 2022, as former President Rodrigo Duterte did not take any action on the measure.

It is the first amendment of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The EPR law excludes micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from having EPR programs.

— Catherine Dabu, INQUIRER.net trainee

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