Phl exceeds plastic waste recovery targets, DENR says

The Philippines exceeded its plastic waste recovery targets in 2025, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said during the 2026 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Recognition Program on 30 January.

Held alongside National Zero Waste Month and the 25th anniversary of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the event gathered government, industry, and other stakeholders to assess implementation of the EPR Law (Republic Act No. 11898).

DENR Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said the program highlights how EPR is being applied across sectors.

"What we celebrate today are not just milestones; they are proof that when government, industry, and communities move together, policy translates into impact and commitment becomes measurable change. The EPR Law is no longer an aspiration. It is alive, operational, and reshaping how we manage waste in this country," Lotilla said.

The recognition program emphasized the complementary roles of RA 9003, which focuses on local government-led waste management, and RA 11898, which assigns producers responsibility for the post-consumer phase of their packaging. Together, the laws link local implementation with producer accountability and national oversight.

Data presented at the event showed:

• National diversion rate: 55.98%, exceeding the mandated 40% target.

• Material-specific diversion: 56.33% for flexible plastics and 55.60% for rigid plastics through recycling, upcycling, and co-processing.

• Expanding accountability network: 1,017 registered entities, including obliged enterprises, collectives, and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), across 201 EPR programs.

Lotilla said increased private sector participation reflects broader engagement with compliance requirements and growing ownership.

"These efforts show that the Philippines is not simply complying with global standards; we are helping shape the transition toward a circular economy," he added.

Looking ahead, the DENR identified priority areas for 2026, including improvements in digital monitoring, capacity-building within institutions, public information campaigns, standardization of audit frameworks, and incentives for more sustainable packaging design.

The recognition program was co-organized by the DENR through its Environmental Management Bureau and the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Material Sustainability (PARMS). Participants included representatives from the diplomatic corps, business sector, academe, recycling industry, and civil society.