Meralco bans use of single-use plastic across subsidiaries

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has banned the use of single-use plastic (SUP) products across its subsidiaries.

“The protection of the environment is a collective obligation that we not only owe to the communities we serve, but more importantly, the future generation. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to ensure that we integrate sustainability in all areas of our operations and in our workplace to create a positive impact to the environment,” Meralco president and CEO Ray Espinosa said.

The ban from all of its premises, activities, and corporate events was implemented starting Oct. 1 as part of its thrust to help save the country’s environment.

Starting Nov. 1, the ban will also apply to Meralco’s subsidiaries namely Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corp. (Miescor), CIS Bayad Center Inc. (Bayad Center), Meralco Energy Inc. (Mserv), Radius Telecoms Inc. (Radius), MSpectrum Inc. (Spectrum), MRAIL Inc. (MRAIL), Meralco Powergen Corp. (MGen), and eSakay Inc. (eSakay).

Affiliated companies Comstech Integration Alliance Inc. (Comstech), Clark Electric Distribution Corp. (CEDC), and Shin Clark Power Group are also implementing the ban starting next month.

Moreover, Meralco’s supply chain partners have also been told to ensure full compliance with the ban effective Jan. 1, 2020.

SUPs covered by the ban include plastic grocery bags, beverage bottles, food service utensils (cutlery, plates, cups, lids, straws, stirrers) and dispensing containers for cleaning fluids. 

 “Everyone in Meralco is committed to do their part in ensuring that we embrace sustainability as a way of life by greatly reducing our contribution to the million tons of plastics waste that are used and dumped in our water ways, rivers and oceans every day,” Espinosa said.

Aside from reducing its contribution of plastic to landfills and marine pollution, Meralco also aims to educate employees and business partners on the responsible use of plastic for proper disposal for a sustainable economy, and help pave the way for a lifestyle change.

According to a report published by the United Nations Environment Program, the world’s ability to cope with plastic waste is already overwhelmed as only nine percent of the nine trillion kilos of plastic the world has ever produced has been recycled.

The report said most end up in landfills, dumps or in the environment. If current consumption patterns and waste management practices continue, then by 2050 there will be around 12 trillion kilos of plastic litter in landfills and the environment.

Earlier this year, Meralco announced it is planning to develop 1,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) projects in the next seven years to provide cleaner and more cost-competitive power supply in its franchise area.

This would be done through MGen’s subsidiary, MGEN Renewable Energy Inc., which was formed to serve as the platform for the strategic push to develop RE projects.