Food and beverage manufacturer Nestlé Philippines, Inc. has partnered with the Environment department to build a materials recovery facility (MRF) in a barangay in Caloocan City and co-develop learning materials on solid waste management.
The initiative aims to increase the country’s capacity for proper waste disposal.
Officials from Nestlé and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) inked the memorandum of agreement (MoA) on Friday in a virtual signing event.
Under the MoA, Nestlé will build an MRF in Brgy. 164 in Caloocan City. Once completed, the facility will be operated and maintained by the barangay.
DENR Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems and Climate Change Analiza R. Teh said the department will provide technical assistance and monitoring of the facility, based on applicable environmental rules.
“With the additional MRF, we hope to see improved waste collection efficiency, [the] servicing [of] less-accessible households, reduced quantity of solid waste to be disposed to dumpsites, increased recovered recyclable materials for income opportunities, the promotion of livelihood programs … and changed attitudes and habits amongst residents,” Ms. Teh said during the virtual signing.
The MRF will receive mixed waste for sorting, segregation, composting, and recycling. It must be established in each barangay or barangay cluster, according to the DENR.
In a separate press release issued on Friday, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu was quoted as saying that the MRF will allow Brgy. 164 “to comply with government regulations for the proper disposal of wastes” and effectively manage the inflow and outflow of wastes.”
During the virtual signing, Nestlé Senior Vice President and Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability Arlene T. Bantoto said that the firm is looking to build two more MRFs in cities in the coming months, and “will continue to find innovative ways to tackle the country’s plastic waste challenge.”
Nestlé Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kais Marzouki said based on the MoA, Nestlé and the DENR will also be co-developing modules on how local government units (LGUs) can implement Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
He was quoted as saying that the partnership aims to provide additional learning materials to LGUs so that they can educate communities on the importance of proper waste management.
In a recorded message aired during the virtual signing, Mr. Marzouki said that, with the MoA, the firm has “renewed its solidarity with the government in caring for the environment.”
In August last year, Nestlé emerged as the first multinational consumer goods company in the country to achieve plastic neutrality, as it was able to recover and co-process the equivalent amount of plastic the firm put out in the market, according to Mr. Marzouki.
Nestle has committed to make its packaging 100% recyclable by 2025. — Angelica Y. Yang
