MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched its 10-year Road to Zero Waste program on Tuesday, aiming to reduce waste through solid waste management and information campaigns.
MMDA Chair Don Artes said the zero-waste program seeks to transform waste management practices in the National Capital Region (NCR) toward a more sustainable circular economy, where waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery will prevent waste from reaching the country’s landfills within 10 years.
“The program is designed to encompass all types of waste generated in the metropolis, focusing on innovative approaches that transform solid waste into valuable resources,” Artes said.
For the Road to Zero Waste program, MMDA has partnered with national government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units (LGUs), and private partners, among others.
Launched at the two-day Road to Zero Waste Summit at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City, the program, according to Artes, marks the beginning of a dynamic collaboration between the government and the private sector, aimed at bridging the gap in promoting environmental sustainability.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said the zero-waste plan adheres to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act (EPRA) of 2022, which requires plastic producers to recover at least 20 percent of their plastic output by 2023 and up to 80 percent by 2028.
“We cannot ignore the urgent need to address these waste types. If left unattended, they will continue to degrade our environment, pollute our waterways, contribute to flooding, and hinder our economic growth, ultimately impacting our economy and overall public health,” Lipana said.
The two-day summit, which concludes on Wednesday, features forums led by resource speakers from various sectors, advocating for different approaches ranging from community-level to metro-wide solutions.
Several booths are also showcasing the solid waste management efforts of government and private offices, including products such as recycled plastic furniture and clothing. (PNA)
