QUEZON CITY (PIA) — A 2023 Waste Analysis and Characterization study by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reveals that nearly 21.44% of household waste in Metro Manila is recyclable. Additionally, a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) estimates that 85% of waste generated can be composted.
On November 5, the MMDA launched the “Road to Zero Waste Summit,” a program to promote and advocate for sustainable practices that may build a circular economy and address pressing solid waste management challenges in Metro Manila.
“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,” says MMDA Chair Atty. Don Artes during the opening ceremony of the event.
This summit is a significant step in the MMDA’s comprehensive 10-Year Road to Zero Waste Program, which seeks to transform Metro Manila’s waste management strategy. Shifting away from the conventional linear economy, in which resources are used and discarded, MMDA intends to develop a circular economy framework centered on reducing waste, increasing recycling activities, and maximizing resource recovery.
The summit features exhibits showcasing solid waste and technologies that transform waste into valuable raw materials for future use.
Procopio Lipana, MMDA General Manager, stressed that Metro Manila’s 10-Year Road to Zero Waste Plan reflects a strong commitment to responsible waste management, landfill protection, and compliance with laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Extended Producers Responsibility Act of 2022. The strategy also calls for a green procurement roadmap and other environmental initiatives.
“We cannot ignore the urgent need to address these waste types,” Lipana stated. “If left unattended, they will continue to degrade our environment, pollute our waterways, contribute increasingly to flooding, and hinder our economic growth, ultimately impacting our economy and overall public health.”
To build a more sustainable future, the MMDA will continue to integrate solid waste management strategies, promote eco-friendly products, encourage behavioral change, and develop waste-processing technologies
The summit will take place from November 5 to 6, 2024, at the Unilab Bayanihan Center in Pasig City and is open to the public free of charge. (GLDG/PIA-NCR)
