In a joint statement, Alaska Milk Corporation, Nestlé Philippines, Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, Century Pacific Food Inc., PepsiCo Philippines, and NutriAsia, express their support for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation during a partners gathering with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX): “As companies who are committed to taking responsibility for 100% of our plastic footprint, and as partners of PCX, we welcome the passing of this critical EPR legislation which will pave the way for a better Philippines.”
PCX’s Founder and Executive Chairperson, Nanette Medved-Po shared her optimism for what lies ahead: “We are encouraged by the urgency in which the government decided to tackle this important issue, and we look forward to the day that our collective commitments will mean that the Philippines is no longer the third highest contributor to ocean plastic in the world.”
EPR legislation was passed in the lower house on July 28, 2021, and was spearheaded by Congressman Rufus Rodriguez and Committee Secretary Dilbert Quetulio of the Committee on Ecology. It passed without opposition and was brought to the Senate where Senator Cynthia Villar championed the issue and submitted the bill to the Office of the President on June 23, 2022. On July 22, 2022, the bill lapsed into law, which requires companies to be held environmentally responsible for the lifecycle of their product, especially in its post-consumer stage. Now officially RA 11898, EPR will encourage the reduction, recovery, and diversion of plastic waste into the circular economy and prevent it from leaking into the environment.
The law provides that large enterprise plastic producers must establish EPR programs designed to reduce their production, importation, supply, or use of plastic products, within six months following enactment into law; and phase in programs for the recovery of their plastic footprint with the goal of achieving plastic neutrality, starting with 20% percent by the end of 2023. However, Alaska Milk Corporation, Nestlé Philippines, Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, Century Pacific Food Inc., PepsiCo Philippines, and NutriAsia Inc, have gone above and beyond by taking responsibility for their plastic footprint even before EPR has been enacted.
Plastic Credit Exchange is the world’s first fully integrated plastic offset program. Founded in the Philippines, PCX partners with sustainability-conscious businesses globally to responsibly offset their plastic footprint and reduce the flow of plastic pollution into nature.
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