THE Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS) is set to establish a P25-million facility that will recycle plastic sachets.
In a statement, the multi-stakeholder group said the recycling facility will be able to process more than 150 metric tons of waste per year, which will be converted into products such as pallets, school chairs and other high-value plastic products.
“PARMS is premised on developing and implementing a holistic and comprehensive program to increase resource recovery and reduce landfill dependence, leading toward ‘zero waste,’” PARMS founder and National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) Member Crispian Lao said in a statement.
The large demand for products in sachet sizes in the Philippines is putting a strain on the environment, especially since plastic sachets end up clogging waterways. The Philippines, in recent years, has been tagged as one of the biggest polluters of oceans due to plastic dumping.
A partnership supported by the NSWMC, PARMS is a multi-sectoral coalition composed of top consumer goods companies such as Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines; Liwayway Marketing Corporation; Monde Nissin Corp.; Nestlé Philippines Inc.; Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.; Procter & Gamble Philippines; Unilever Philippines; Universal Robina Corporation; as well as Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Philippine Plastics Industry Association; and environmental nongovernment groups such as the Zero Waste Recycling Movement; and Philippine Business for the Environment.
Aside from the establishment of the recycling facility and exploring other sustainable technologies to address waste, PARMS will promote information, education and communications campaign, and recovery, collection, treatment, and market development for recycled products. — Janina C. Lim
