EPR Act on plastic waste disposal awaits Palace Ok–villar
THE Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Act, which mandates large companies to adopt and implement policies for the proper management of plastic packaging wastes, is now with the Office of the President for approval.
“I’m very happy also to announce that we have passed in both houses of Congress the Extended Producers Responsibility,” said Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, at the official launch of the Circular Explorer on Thursday.
The senator stressed, “We’ll require, oblige companies to recycle their plastic waste in response to the study of the University of Georgia in the United States.”
Villar emphasized that the EPR Act will be the “first step” to remove the Philippines from the list of the top countries that produce plastics that find their way into oceans.
The enrolled copy of the bill, which was passed by both houses of Congress, has been sent to Malacañang.
Villar said, “I’m glad to announce it is with the Office of the President already and if there will be no veto, it will lapse into law in 30 days.”
Two months ago, Villar said the bill would institutionalize EPR as a practical policy approach for efficient waste management.
She noted earlier that the proposed legislation focuses on waste reduction, recovery and recycling and the development of environment-friendly products that advocates the internationally accepted principle on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy and producers’ full responsibility throughout the life cycle of their products.
In relation to the circular economy, Holcim, in partnership with One Earth One Ocean launched on Thursday the Circular Explorer in Manila to be part of clearing coastal areas in the Philippines.
Holcim, a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, emphasized that the Circular Explorer, a pioneering solar-powered catamaran, is designed to recover up to four tons of plastic waste per day to preserve vital marine ecosystems in a sustainable way.
On education initiatives, Holcim said the circular explorer could be an avenue “to empower students and local communities as change makers to take action for people and the planet.” Hence, as it takes a science-driven approach for more impact, the Circular Explorer has also forged a partnership with the University of the Philippines Marine Institute to advance ocean research.
“With built-in sensors and micro-plastic collectors on board, it will drive live data mapping along its journey to fuel the faculty’s research programs,” read the statement of Holcim.
For her part, Holcim Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer Magali Anderson said, “With today’s population and urbanization on the rise, Holcim is committed to improving living standards for all by building more with less.”
“That’s why we are driving circular construction as a global leader in material recycling to build a net-zero future that works for people and the planet,” Anderson added.
The sustainability and innovation chief emphasized that the circular explorer is a platform to empower communities to shift gears toward circular living.
Meanwhile, CEO and President of Holcim Philippines Horia Adrian said that the Circular Explorer is a “symbol of Holcim’s commitment to sustainability.”
“Walking the talk across our business, we recycled over 20 million tons of materials into alternative fuels and low emission raw materials across our operations over the past 15 years,” the chief of Holcim Philippines added.
He highlighted that by 2024, they will become the first company in their sector in the Philippines to operate solar panels in their plants.
On scientific initiatives, Dr. Deo Onda, Deputy for Research, University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, highlighted the need for science to help us understand the environmental challenges we are facing and to drive us with equitable and sustainable solutions.
“Scientific initiatives, such as the one supported by Holcim with its Circular Explorer, are a significant contribution to these endeavors. By advancing research together, we can help educate the public and support key decision makers with relevant data to take action,” said Onda.
According to Holcim, the conveyor belt of the Circular Explorer is lowered into the water when cleaning starts. Plastic waste is then transported up to the boat for manual sorting. Thereafter, single sort split plastic is recycled for reuse in cooperation with local partners and converted into new products.
The remaining plastic that is unable to be recycled will be used as an alternative energy source, said Holcim.