Twenty-five large businesses across various industries in Bataan province have signed a pledge to comply with a new law institutionalizing the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging waste.The Pledge of Commitment was made during the recent launch of Project Transform of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Balanga City.The companies represent 93 percent of prospective large businesses that are covered by the EPR law in Bataan. They come from different industries, such as manufacturing, food, construction, medical and hospital equipment, wholesale trade, retail, marketing and customer relations, transportation and retail trade.
The EPR Act of 2022, which lapsed into law in July last year, requires large companies to adopt and implement policies for the proper management of plastic packaging wastes.
Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga signed the law’s implementing rules and regulations in January this year.This law is a response to the growing clamor to regulate single-use plastics in their production, importation and disposal by industries. It advances circular economy, one that mitigates the effects of climate change and protects life-supporting ecosystems by avoiding or minimizing plastic pollution while maximizing the use of materials.
By signing the pledge, the companies committed to register their respective EPR programs and submit the necessary documentary requirements with the DENR-led National Solid Waste Management Commission until June 4 this year, in compliance with Republic Act no. 11898, or the EPR Act.
Signatories
The signatories are Bahrain Fiberglass International Company Ltd., Bioteque Medical Philippines Inc., Bounty Fresh Food Inc., Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corp. Aqua Plant, Concrete Stone Corp., DLX Bags Philippines Inc., Dunlop International (Philippines) Inc., Familyhealth and Beauty Corp., FBF Industrial Sales and Services, FBF Electric and Power Services Inc., GQ Horizon Manufacturing Corp., Integrated Meat & Poultry Processing Inc., Mitsumi Phils. Inc., Natcorp Career Growth and Manpower Services Inc., NLEX Corp., Orica Philippines Inc., Perpetual Prime Manufacturing Inc., Philcement Corp., Puregold Price Club Inc., Qualitek-Delta Philippines Inc., San Miguel Foods Inc.-MPF Bataan, San Miguel Foods Inc., SM City Bataan, Vista Mall Bataan and Tang Long Plastics (Philippines) Corp.Loyzaga lauded the companies for their commitment and support for the EPR implementation.
“The DENR advocates a whole-of-society approach for all investments and decision making, and the private and (civil society organization) sectors will be able to complete a multisectoral partnership that is based on evidence. We are grateful to our partners for their generous support through Project Transform, to the EPR, and more,” the secretary said.
Beginning to end
Under the EPR law, companies operating on a significant scale must create a system for efficient waste management until the “end-of-life stage” of their products. The law considers the nonregistration of covered companies as an offense.It gives the DENR’s Pollution Adjudication Board the jurisdiction for imposing fines and penalties for plastic pollution cases.
During a recent symposium co-organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, lawyer Ivy Joyce De Pedro of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau stressed that the law covers plastic packaging waste, regardless of content.