The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law of the Philippines, or Republic Act No. 11898, was signed into law on July 23, 2022. The law requires large enterprises, or businesses with total assets worth more than ₱100 million, to participate in EPR, which is an environmental policy approach that encourages plastic waste reduction through the elimination of unnecessary plastic packaging of products, the development of more environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging design, and the recovery of plastic packaging from the trash in order to reuse them.
Under the EPR Law, obliged enterprises are required to:
- Establish and implement a program for the proper and effective recovery, treatment, recycling, or disposal of their plastic packaging waste;
- Set up a collection system for their plastic packaging waste;
- Provide financial and technical assistance to local government units for the implementation of the EPR program; and
- Report to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) on the implementation of their EPR program.
The EPR Law also provides for a number of penalties for non-compliance, including fines, suspension of business permits, and imprisonment. It is a significant step forward for the Philippines in its efforts to address the problem of plastic pollution. The law is expected to help reduce the amount of plastic waste generated in the country, and to increase the recycling rate of plastic packaging. It is also expected to create jobs in the recycling sector, and to help protect the environment.
Here's how businesses can work on their compliance:
- Register with the National Ecology Center (NEC). The NEC is the government agency responsible for implementing the EPR Law. Businesses must register with the NEC in order to participate in the EPR program.
- Develop a EPR plan. The EPR plan is a document that outlines how the business will manage its plastic packaging wastes. The plan should include the following:
- A description of the types of plastic packaging wastes that the business generates
- A plan for collecting and transporting the wastes
- A plan for recycling or disposing of the wastes
- Implement the EPR plan. The business must implement its EPR plan in order to comply with the law. The NEC will monitor the implementation of the plans and may impose sanctions on businesses that do not comply.
Some inspiring ongoing projects by obliged companies within the Philippines:
The passing of this law is a significant step forward in the Philippines’ efforts to address its plastic pollution problem.
By requiring businesses to take responsibility for their plastic packaging wastes, the law will help to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and waterways.
Here are some additional tips for businesses that are looking to comply with the EPR Law:
- Use recycled content in your packaging. This will help to reduce the amount of virgin plastic that is used.
- Design your packaging for recyclability. This means using materials that can be easily recycled and avoiding materials that are difficult to recycle, such as PVC.
- Make it easy for consumers to recycle your packaging. This means providing recycling bins in your stores and making it clear to consumers how to dispose of your packaging.
By following these tips, businesses can help to reduce their environmental impact and remain compliant.