DENR and Partners Establish Working Group to Address Flexible Plastic Recycling Challenges

In a significant move towards tackling plastic pollution and promoting sustainability, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched a new initiative—the Working Group on Flexible Plastic Waste Recycling. This initiative is aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to a circular economy by addressing one of its most pressing environmental challenges: the growing problem of flexible plastic waste.

The initiative is part of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), a locally-driven platform that brings together government agencies, businesses, civil society organizations, and development groups. NPAP is focused on reducing plastic pollution and helping the Philippines move toward a more sustainable, circular economic model. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines acts as the secretariat for NPAP, with support from various global stakeholders including the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership, the governments of the UK and Canada, and the Coca-Cola Foundation.

A Growing Plastic Waste Crisis

Flexible plastics, particularly single-use sachets, have become a defining feature of plastic pollution in the Philippines. A recent study by the World Bank estimates that the country’s rapid urbanization and large low-income population have driven the daily consumption of up to 163 million sachets, contributing heavily to plastic waste. This surge in plastic use has significant economic consequences, with up to USD 890 million worth of recyclable plastic being discarded each year.

Unfortunately, the current recycling systems in place are ill-equipped to handle these plastics. Most recycling centers in the Philippines focus on rigid plastics, which are more easily processed and can be exchanged for incentives. Flexible plastics, including food-grade plastics, remain largely unrecycled due to a lack of appropriate infrastructure and technology, resulting in a substantial amount of waste ending up in landfills or the natural environment.

Working Group Focus and Objectives

The newly formed working group, co-led by DENR and Nestlé Philippines, aims to develop innovative solutions to recycle flexible plastics and integrate them into the circular economy. The group will explore new recycling technologies, including those for food-grade plastics, and promote collaboration across all sectors involved in the plastic lifecycle. By working together, stakeholders hope to establish a fully integrated value chain for flexible plastics that supports sustainability and reduces waste.

Dr. Selva Ramachandran, the Resident Representative for UNDP Philippines, highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in solving this complex issue. “At UNDP, we know that it is critical to bring different sectors together so that we can ensure meaningful collaboration between stakeholders and amplify our impact,” said Ramachandran.

DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna also emphasized the importance of sustained effort. “This is an opportunity to find innovative solutions to recycling flexible plastics and reducing plastic waste at source, to create lasting change in our communities. The DENR will continuously work with this group and with various partners at the local level to sustain the momentum built through this convening,” Cuna said.

DENR’s Strategic Long-Term Plans

The DENR has already implemented several initiatives to address plastic waste, including the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, which mandates proper collection and disposal of plastic waste. This law, passed in 2022, aims to encourage businesses to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, promoting recycling and reducing waste.

In the lead-up to the creation of the flexible plastic recycling working group, DENR, in partnership with Nestlé Philippines, hosted a series of forums in 2023 to discuss challenges related to the EPR law and gather feedback from key stakeholders.

Corporate Commitment to Sustainability

Nestlé Philippines, a major player in the food and beverage industry, has pledged to prioritize efforts to address plastic pollution. “Nestlé Philippines is committed, as a top priority, to continue stepping up our initiatives to help achieve plastic circularity,” said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki. “A comprehensive, upstream-downstream approach to flexible plastic waste is important to us, as a food and beverage manufacturer deeply involved in addressing major environmental concerns.”

This working group represents a critical step forward in the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to combat plastic pollution and create a more sustainable future for its citizens and the environment.

Source: UNDP Philippines