This year’s World Environment Day theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” sheds light on the global problem of plastic pollution—a significant amount of which end up in oceans and waterways. Estimates on the total cost of damage to the environment caused by plastic packaging range anywhere from US$13 billion to US$75 billion.

Rising to the challenge of significantly reducing the volume of plastic waste requires fundamental shifts from the throwaway culture that exists in many societies. Moreover, there is a need to shift toward a circular economy—one wherein the use of manufactured materials are extended as much as possible. For the industry, this means designing packaging with “reuse” and “end-of-life” in mind.

The Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), a coalition composed of top corporations in the fast-moving consumer goods space, large industry groups, environmental non-government organizations, and supported by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), has embarked on various initiatives that that look at comprehensive ways to address the challenge of plastic waste.

Principal to these solutions is looking at the volume and type of packaging that is currently coming out of the Philippine market. PARMS members have been light-weighting the packaging of its products, as well as introducing packaging that has encouraged refills. Its members are also working toward attaining 100-percent recyclable packaging materials over the short- to medium-term, including the overall reduction of plastics in packaging.

Plastic packaging has long been considered to be of value, protecting products from damage or contamination, preventing spillage, allowing for transport over long distances, saving space, and enhancing the overall consumer experience. What is crucial these days is ensuring that the plastic in the market is extended beyond a single use and that the environmental footprint to manufacture packaging is kept to a minimum.

“Industry players are currently focusing their efforts on looking for ways to collect plastic wastes and to find ways to recycle and repurpose these, as well as increase recycling rates,” explained PARMS president and NSWMC commissioner Crispian Lao. “It is also crucial to create a market for valuable recycled plastics or recycled material. The industry is doing its share in trying to redesign its products and applications, so that we move away from disposable single-use toward recyclable single-use.”

Innovations are also being explored by PARMS members, including pioneering new technologies that convert polyethylene terephthalate waste back into virgin-grade packaging. Meanwhile, the challenge of single-use sachets is being addressed on multiple fronts. Infrastructure to recycle these sachets will be put up, recognizing the need for adequate facilities to dramatically reduce the volume of single-use packaging ending up in oceans and waterways. New technologies like CreaSolv are also being invested in, which breaks down complex polymers in sachets, so that the plastics could be further reused.

“PARMS will be putting up a facility in Paranaque City. We will take whatever the recyclers are not accepting. We will study this material and convert it into valuable products. The technologies are there and need not be expensive. What needs to be done are smaller business models that can work and provide livelihood for the people on the ground,” Lao added.

Addressing the source of the plastic challenge is just one part of the equation. There is a need for multi-stakeholder collaboration and shifts in behavior to beat plastic pollution at all stages of the production and consumption chains. For example, PARMS has partnered with public schools to develop and implement a full waste recovery program that addresses both residual plastic packaging waste and a food waste management program. This type of strategic partnership is expected to be eventually implemented in hotels, retail establishments, and food and beverage establishments to promote both behavioral and systemic shifts. This is complemented by massive information and education campaigns in schools and communities, promoting proper disposal, recovery and treatment, highlighting benefits to health and the environment, as well as the economic impact.

“Our industry partners at PARMS are committed to bring tangible solutions to finally make a dent on the persistent issue of plastic waste. We are also collaborating with our members’ respective supply chains to realize global commitments by brand owners and work towards 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging. We will do this by increasing post-consumer recycled content in existing packaging without compromising safety and quality, as well as exploring other viable alternatives. As an organization, we would like to pave the way to guide all involved sectors towards achieving our goal of reducing waste. We believe in the power of collective impact and we aim to empower everyone to come together and make a step towards a Zero Waste society,” Lao stated.

For queries and clarification, contact PARMS Secretariat through secretariat.parms@gmail.com.