DENR: Philippines loses $890 million annually to recyclable plastic dumping

MANILA, Philippines —  The country loses $890 million a year because of indiscriminate dumping of recyclable plastic instead of repurposing it, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said yesterday.

In her speech during the celebration of Earth Day, Loyzaga said the country produces around 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, with most of it ending in landfills, dumpsites, rivers and water supply systems.

“However, about 20 percent of this ends up in our oceans. Over and above our organic waste, plastic for our market needs, food wrapping and packaging for our consumers all make up the 61,000 metric tons of solid waste we produce daily,” Loyzaga said.

This year’s Earth Day is an urgent call to face a deadly challenge against plastic, she added.

Loyzaga pointed out that many are unaware plastics have traditionally been made from oil, natural gas, or coal – the very fossil fuel sources that have driven climate change.

“On a daily basis, we consume plastics in the fish caught in the seas, through the substandard water bottles we use and in the very air we breathe. Microplastics have been found in raindrops and are being studied for their impact on clouds and climate change,” she added.

To address the issue, she said the government passed the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 or the EPR Law, which shifted the burden of collecting used plastic from local governments to the producers and manufacturers.

“Over 800 large-scale companies have registered and committed to reducing plastic use through the substitution and development of sustainable packaging solutions and collection, treatment and recycling initiatives. They have also committed to education and raising awareness of the environmental impact of plastic pollution,” Loyzaga noted.

She stressed that the government and the corporations cannot do it alone, adding that transformation toward a plastics-free world begins at home.

“Together, we can win this battle of planet vs. plastics. Every step we take counts, and we will need to work as one. It is our choice to act today or let our plastic waste determine our tomorrow. Earth Day must be every day. We will fight to win the war of Planet