NEDA pushes phaseout of single-use plastic

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is pushing for the phaseout of single-use plastics and investments to improve waste management with the country’s total daily waste projected to rise to 194,138 metric tons by 2055.

In a statement, the NEDA said it is pushing for legislation to further phase out single-use plastics including House Bill 26 or Unnecessary Plastic Products Regulation and HB 4102 or the Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastic Bags.

HB 26 seeks to impose a ban on the production, importation, sale, provision and use of single-use plastics to curb the growing problem of plastic pollution in the country.

Meanwhile, HB 4102 seeks to impose an excise tax of P100 for every kilogram of single-use plastics removed from the place of production or released from custody of the Bureau of Customs.

NEDA is pushing these measures as the country’s total waste is expected to increase as the economy advances towards upper-middle-income status.

“Based on the average waste generated by higher-income and developed countries, and using the latest population projections by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country’s total waste could reach a staggering total of 194,138 metric tons per day by 2055,” the NEDA said.

The agency said the country is currently grappling with the issue of plastic pollution with the purchase of goods in quantities smaller than standard retail packaging a common practice among Filipinos, particularly patrons of sari-sari stores.

Citing the World Bank, the NEDA said this reliance has led to the country generating 2.7 million tons of plastic waste per year.

To achieve a sustainable future, the NEDA is also advocating collaboration with the private sector and the international community to scale up sustainable and green investments and to improve waste management.

The agency has already taken proactive steps to tackle the country’s waste problem through the formulation of the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production.

The plan aims to encourage sustainable practices and behavior across sectors and government with key policy actions including the implementation of Republic Act 11898 or Extended Producer Responsibility Act, which mandates the private sector to minimize post-consumer plastic waste associated with their products.

In addition, the action plan pushes for alternatives to single-use plastics and encourages the development of longer-lasting, resource-efficient products and services from production to consumption.

Complementing these strategies, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has also come up with the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML), providing a blueprint for managing marine litter across the value chain.

Developed with the support of the United Nations Development Program Philippines, NPOA-ML aims to enhance recovery and recycling coverage and market linkages to prevent leakage from collected and disposed wastes.

It also promotes sustainable consumption and production in operations including of micro, small and medium enterprises.