TURNING WASTE TO WORTH. In a continued push for sustainability, Meralco partners with Plastic Flamingo for the upcycling of plastic waste materials into sustainable construction materials and furniture. Seen in the photo are (from L-R) Meralco chief sustainability officer Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho, PLAF partnerships and operations manager Krisha G. Rubia, and Meralco head of facilities and safety mnagement Jerry B. Lao.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco), under the leadership of Manuel V. Pangilinan, is ramping up its sustainability game with a bold new initiative aimed at tackling plastic pollution head-on.
Through a newly inked partnership with Plastic Flamingo Philippines, Inc. (PLAF)—a French-founded social enterprise focused on fighting marine plastic pollution—Meralco is set to give new life to its collected plastic waste. Rather than letting the waste end up in landfills or oceans, it will now be upcycled into durable construction materials and eco-conscious furniture.
“Proper waste management is just the first step,” said Jerry B. Lao, Meralco vice president and head of facilities and safety management. “True sustainability means transforming our waste into something that helps both the environment and the communities we serve.”
This game-changing collaboration falls under Meralco’s Race to Zero Waste program, which has been a cornerstone of the company’s green efforts since 2020. Already, the company has drastically improved its waste diversion rate—from a mere 17% before a 2019 ban on single-use plastics to a whopping 95% today.
“This partnership with PLAF is more than a waste solution—it’s a statement,” added Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco executive vice president and COO. “It reflects our resolve to embed sustainability into every part of our business and to contribute to a truly circular economy.”
Krisha G. Rubia, PLAF partnerships and operations manager, echoed the enthusiasm. “This collaboration is proof that corporations can be powerful allies in environmental stewardship. By working together, we’re showing the kind of impact that’s possible when industry commits to sustainable action.”
The partnership will see plastic waste collected across Meralco facilities transformed into building materials and items that can be reused by communities—creating both environmental and social value.
Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco’s first vice president and chief sustainability officer, noted how this latest step builds on years of progress. “With the success of our single-use plastic ban, this initiative helps us move from policy to purpose, turning sustainability into real, measurable impact.”
Guided by its long-term sustainability vision, Powering the Good Life, Meralco continues to align its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The company’s strategy rests on four key pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity.
“Race to Zero isn’t just a program—it’s a movement inside Meralco,” Aperocho emphasized. “It’s about reshaping how we think, consume, and act for the planet.”
From wires to waste bins, Meralco is proving that energy companies can lead the charge toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.