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Senator Cynthia Villar Pushes For 'Circular Economy' Approach
Photo credit: Senate PH
Senator Cynthia A. Villar has called on the public to seize the opportunity to revolutionize waste management through a circular economy approach. Speaking at the Coffee Club Forum at the Bellevue Manila on June 30, the senator highlighted the importance of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative as one of the key steps towards achieving this goal.
In her capacity as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Senator Villar played a crucial role in authoring and successfully spearheading the legislation of RA No. 11898, also known as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022.
Under the EPR Act, large enterprises are mandated to take responsibility for the proper and effective recovery, recycling, or disposal of the plastic packaging used on their products after they have been sold and used by consumers. The primary objective is to reduce the use of non-environmentally friendly packaging, promote recycling, and ensure effective waste recovery to mitigate environmental pollution.
Senator Villar believes that the EPR law presents a significant opportunity to substantially decrease plastic waste and facilitate the country's transition towards a circular economy. By implementing the EPR Act, she sees it as a step in the right direction towards more sustainable waste management practices.
Moreover, Senator Villar highlighted that the principles of the circular economy were already at the heart of their waste management practices long before the concept became popular. Through Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), the senator's organization launched barangay-based livelihood enterprises that transform waste into valuable products, embodying the essence of a circular economy.
Explaining the concept of a circular economy, Senator Villar stressed that it revolves around keeping resources in use for as long as possible through practices such as reuse and recycling, standing in contrast to the traditional linear economy's 'take, make, dispose' pattern. Adopting a circular economy approach not only reduces the demand for new resources but also fosters sustainable growth and preserves the environment.
In her capacity as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Senator Villar played a crucial role in authoring and successfully spearheading the legislation of RA No. 11898, also known as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022.
Under the EPR Act, large enterprises are mandated to take responsibility for the proper and effective recovery, recycling, or disposal of the plastic packaging used on their products after they have been sold and used by consumers. The primary objective is to reduce the use of non-environmentally friendly packaging, promote recycling, and ensure effective waste recovery to mitigate environmental pollution.
Senator Villar believes that the EPR law presents a significant opportunity to substantially decrease plastic waste and facilitate the country's transition towards a circular economy. By implementing the EPR Act, she sees it as a step in the right direction towards more sustainable waste management practices.
Moreover, Senator Villar highlighted that the principles of the circular economy were already at the heart of their waste management practices long before the concept became popular. Through Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), the senator's organization launched barangay-based livelihood enterprises that transform waste into valuable products, embodying the essence of a circular economy.
Explaining the concept of a circular economy, Senator Villar stressed that it revolves around keeping resources in use for as long as possible through practices such as reuse and recycling, standing in contrast to the traditional linear economy's 'take, make, dispose' pattern. Adopting a circular economy approach not only reduces the demand for new resources but also fosters sustainable growth and preserves the environment.
Jul 3, 2023
