The growing problem of solid waste management (SWM) in the Philippines can be attributed to factors such as improper waste disposal, inefficient waste collection, and lack of disposal and recycling facilities in many cities and municipalities. While solid waste collection rates vary across the country – ranging from 40% to 85%, it is evident that a significant portion of uncollected waste ends up in the environment. In fact, an estimated 20 percent of the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste generated in the Philippines each year ends up in the ocean.
As one of the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the country, Nestlé Philippines, which makes helping shape a waste-free future a priority, is tackling solid waste, especially plastic, in a holistic manner. The company is developing future-proof packaging, increasing collection and recycling efforts, and driving new behaviors and understanding through solid waste management (SWM) education.
In its latest move, Nestlé PH handed over a new Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Barangay Bagong Pook in Lipa City as part of its plan to support the construction of an MRF in barangays. The change was attended by Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa, Barangay officials and residents, officials from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and company representatives.
MRF is essential for more efficient collection, separation and recycling of waste. Each barangay or barangay cluster in the country is required to establish an MRF as required by RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act 2000.
According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR) and the National Solid Waste Management Council (NSWMC), only 35% of barangays in the country have MRF. The lack of MRF is one of the challenges barangay faces in implementing its SWM program.
The African Mayor congratulated Barangay Bagong Pook officials and residents during the turnover. “I want everyone to work together to maintain this structure so you can maximise its effect on your barangay. This is not only good for the environment, but also a way to encourage residents to self-discipline and learn more about what is appropriate the importance of waste sorting and recycling,” he said.
“Our old MRF is already too small to hold all of our barangay’s recyclable materials. This new MRF helps a lot as it reduces the amount of rubbish we currently ship to the city,” Bagong Pook Barangay career chairman Lope Lina said. “Our goal is that this MRF will make us a model village for solid waste management, in addition to our existing collection and recycling programs.”
“At Nestlé PH, it is very important that we work with local government departments or local government departments to address solid waste management issues. We explore different opportunities for recyclable plastics in the country. Through the construction of this MRF, the community will be able to create value through recycling, And reduce the amount of plastic waste that goes into landfills and oceans,” said Christine Ponce-Garcia, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé PH.
Eric Angulo, Factory Manager of Nestlé Lipa, highlighted the long-standing partnership between the company and barangay: “We have worked in this community for 30 years and have built strong bonds with the local population. We have been through thick and thin, especially during disasters and We have been by each other’s side during times of crisis. Today, we sincerely hope that this MRF will help Barangay Bagong Pook better manage their solid waste.”
In its SWM milestone, Nestlé PH is the first multinational FMCG company in the country to achieve plastic neutrality, recycling the same amount of plastic it puts on the market. From August 2020 to May 2022, it collected 48 million kilograms of plastic waste. Another of its initiatives is the development and launch of the SWM Education Module, which will benefit grades 1-10 students in 20,000 public schools across the country under the Nestlé Healthy Schools programme. Recently, DENR, NSWMC and Nestlé PH also launched ‘No Time to Waste: Climate Change and SWM Talks’ for officials from local government departments and government agencies, as well as community leaders.
