The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched a new team under the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) to address the recycling of flexible plastics specifically. This effort seeks to reduce the environmental impact of these materials by finding ways to recover and repurpose them instead of allowing them to end up in landfills or pollute ecosystems.
Materials like sachets and plastic wraps are common in everyday life, especially in low-income communities where affordability drives their widespread use. With millions consumed daily across the country, these items have become a major contributor to plastic waste. By concentrating on new recycling approaches, the working group aims to reduce this burden and create more sustainable solutions.
This initiative complements the goals of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, which requires large companies to take more responsibility for the plastic waste their products generate. Through this aligned approach, the DENR is helping to move the country closer to a circular economy—one where products are reused, repurposed, and kept in use for as long as possible.
Establishing this working group is a meaningful step toward improving waste management practices in the Philippines. It carries the potential to protect natural resources while also creating opportunities for innovation and economic growth.
