The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched its two-day “Road to Zero Waste Summit” on Tuesday to promote sustainable and circular economy practices in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The initiative is part of a 10-year program aimed at waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery as essential steps toward sustainability.
MMDA chairperson Romando Artes emphasized collaboration between the government and private sector to meet the program’s ambitious goals.
The summit showcased products and technologies that repurpose solid waste, presenting examples of how this can be transformed into valuable resources.
In Metro Manila, a 2023 Waste Analysis and Characterization study found that 21.44 percent of household waste is recyclable, and up to 85 percent could be composted.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana stated that this program represents a commitment to sustainable waste management, landfill protection, and the promotion of eco-friendly procurement.
In addition to highlighting waste recycling solutions, the MMDA also hinted at exploring a unified policy to ban single-use plastics across the National Capital Region.
While some cities, like Quezon City and Marikina, already have ordinances against single-use plastics, Artes expressed interest in coordinating with the National Solid Waste Management Commission to introduce a Metro Manila-wide resolution.
Legislative efforts to regulate single-use plastics are also underway. The 2022 Extended Producer Responsibility Act addresses plastic waste from manufacturers.
Senator Loren Legarda and lawmakers at the House of Representatives also proposed bills to phase out single-use plastics through penalties, impose levies, and incentives for compliance.
The 2024 Zero Waste Summit underscores the MMDA’s commitment to driving sustainable waste practices and pushing for policies that foster environmental accountability.
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