Pasig City: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) kicked off its 10-year Road to Zero Waste program on Tuesday, aiming to significantly reduce waste through solid waste management and comprehensive information campaigns.
According to Philippines News Agency, the program was initiated with the two-day Road to Zero Waste Summit held at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City. MMDA chair Don Artes stated that the program aspires to revolutionize waste management practices in the National Capital Region by adopting a sustainable ‘circular economy’ approach. This strategy focuses on minimizing waste, enhancing recycling efforts, and boosting resource recovery, all aimed at achieving zero waste in landfills within the next decade.
Artes emphasized that the program targets all types of waste generated in the metropolis, employing innovative strategies to convert solid waste into valuable resources. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the MMDA, national government agencies like the Departme
nt of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units (LGUs), and private partners.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana highlighted the zero-waste plan’s adherence to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Extended Producer’s Responsibility Act (EPRA) of 2022. These regulations mandate plastic producers to recover a significant portion of their plastic output, with targets set at 20 percent recovery since 2023 and reaching up to 80 percent by 2028.
Lipana pointed out the critical necessity to tackle various waste types, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to environmental degradation, waterway pollution, increased flooding, and economic stagnation, ultimately affecting public health and the economy.
The summit, concluding on Wednesday, features forums led by resource speakers from diverse sectors, promoting various advocacy efforts ranging from community-based initiatives to metro-wide strat
egies. Additionally, several booths showcase the solid waste management efforts of government and private entities, displaying products such as clothing and recycled plastic furniture.