In honor of Zero Waste Month in the Philippines in January, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)– Through its Clean Cities, Blue Oceans (CCBO) initiative – in partnership with Nestlé Philippines to help local government units (LGUs) and community leaders better understand the link between climate change and solid waste management.
The MoU was signed on January 31 by Rene Acosta of Tetra Tech, CCBO Regional Director Asia and Arlene Bantoto, Senior Vice President, Nestlé Philippines.
USAID and Nestlé Philippines are working together to share practical tips on improving local solid waste management, increasing community access to solid waste management education, and implementing Nestlé Philippines’ climate change and solid waste management education programs.
“Fighting ocean plastic pollution is a challenge that requires strong partnerships,” said Ryan Washburn, director of USAID’s Philippines office. “USAID is pleased to partner with Nestlé Philippines to support the contribution of local governments to reduce waste-related ocean plastic and the climate crisis.”
The Philippines generates approximately 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, 20% of which is estimated to end up in the ocean. While the country has solid waste management legislation, local government agencies sometimes have difficulty implementing and enforcing regulations.
By expanding Nestlé Philippines’ climate change and solid waste management education program to USAID CCBO participating locations in Metro Manila and Iloilo, USAID and Nestlé Philippines will support local governments to strengthen their solid waste management systems and develop responses capacity for climate change.
“As a food and beverage manufacturer with a significant presence in the country, we are asked to be at the forefront of helping to address pressing issues such as climate change and plastic waste. As Nestlé Philippines adheres to plastic neutrality and other pioneering environmental initiatives, Empowering people at the grassroots level is very important to us,” said Kais Marzouki, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé Philippines. “We welcome the partnership with USAID Philippines and look forward to working with other partners to accelerate progress towards a waste-free future.”
USAID launched CCBO in August 2019 as its flagship program to address the ocean plastic pollution crisis. The five-year (2019-2024), US$48 million (Philippine 2.5 billion) program works globally and in selected countries, including the Philippines, to address ocean plastics directly at source.
By strengthening waste management systems and building a circular economy city by city, the plan builds sustainable solutions to reduce ocean plastic while empowering vulnerable groups and mitigating pollution affecting human health and the climate.
For more information, please visit www.urban-links.org/ccbo.
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(Right) Rene Acosta, Regional Director Asia, Clean Cities Blue Ocean Project, and Arlene Bantoto, Senior Vice President and Head of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Nestlé Philippines, sign a memorandum of understanding to help improve solid waste management in the country.
