The Philippines' Plastic Problem
- Gowri Rayannavar
- May 26
- 2 min read
We can all agree that the production of plastic is only increasing. However, plastic is not all bad as it's a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in various industries. But the mismanagement of plastic, including not recycling and dumping it in landfills, has its drawbacks, too. According to Our World in Data, plastic has significantly increased just in the last 70 years. In 1950, the world produced two million tons, which is still enough to take out a coastal marine ecosystem. As of 2019, we now produce over 450 million tons, which is an increasing problem for poorer countries like the Philippines, where most waste is dumped in their oceans.
As a rapidly developing country, the Philippines hasn't implemented an efficient plastic management system like recycling, and they have accumulated lots of plastic waste that is endangering its oceans. For example, their high dependence on single-use plastic has resulted in an annual 2.7 million tons of plastic, where an estimated 20% of this waste ends up in the sea. For this reason, plastic pollution significantly endangers biodiversity in the Philippines. Despite the increase in harm, their government has stepped into action in hopes of making changes in the way they live now.
The Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources has implemented the Solid Waste Management protection policy for rehabilitation of dumpsites, establishment of Materials Recovery Facilities, and an environmentally sound disposal system. Additionally, they have introduced its Extended Producer Responsibility Act in 2022, which hopes to recover their plastic product footprint by 80% by the year 2028 with their EPR programs. These major adjustments are improving the sustainability of their oceans and land while encouraging companies to follow in this path. For instance, companies like Infinity Eight Trading and Marketing Corporation buy plastic waste and resell it as raw materials to remake food cartons and bottles.
While the road to solving plastic pollution is a long journey, the Philippines is proving that change is possible. Through stronger policies and community efforts, we can take these meaningful steps toward a cleaner and more sustainable future, not only in the Philippines but on our entire planet.
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