Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has taken a major step forward in its sustainability drive after formally turning over its first batch of plastic waste to social enterprise The Plastic Flamingo Philippines (PLAF), reinforcing its Race to Zero Waste Program and commitment to a circular economy.
The milestone donation was marked by a site visit and plant tour at PLAF’s facility in Muntinlupa City, attended by representatives from Meralco’s Facilities, Safety and Security Management, Networks Distribution Services, Corporate Sustainability Office, and the One Meralco Foundation. The activity underscored the company’s cross-functional approach to responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.
Through the partnership, Meralco aims to reduce operational waste while supporting innovative solutions that transform discarded plastics into durable, community-serving products. In May, the company sealed a memorandum of agreement with PLAF to strengthen its waste management efforts under the Race to Zero Waste Program, which seeks to keep solid waste out of landfills.
For its initial donation, Meralco successfully diverted more than 500 kilograms of plastic waste collected from its North, Central, and South Business Areas, as well as its Ortigas Center headquarters. This initiative builds on the company’s strict ban on single-use plastics, which has already cut such waste by 57 percent—from 45 metric tons in 2021 to 19 metric tons in 2024.
Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo said the partnership translates years of progress into tangible results. He noted that since its launch in 2020, the Race to Zero Waste Program has increased Meralco’s waste diversion rate more than fivefold, from 17 percent to 95 percent.
According to Ravelo, working with PLAF strengthens the company’s ability to deliver measurable and meaningful impact for both people and the planet.
Founded in France and operating in the Philippines since 2018, PLAF focuses on intercepting ocean-bound plastic and transforming it into 100 percent recycled products such as ecoboards, shelters, furniture, and school chairs. With more than 300 collection points across Metro Manila, the organization helps prevent plastic pollution while creating eco-products that benefit local communities.
Meralco Vice President and Head of Facilities and Safety Management Jerry B. Lao emphasized that sustainability goes beyond disposal. He said real impact comes from converting waste into resources that serve both the environment and society.
The partnership aligns with Meralco’s broader sustainability agenda, Powering the Good Life, which is anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and guided by four pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity.
Through initiatives like this, Meralco continues to ensure that every kilogram of plastic diverted contributes to a cleaner environment and a more resilient future for Filipinos.
