Companies urged: Set up plastic collection centers

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has urged the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BOLO) to encourage large companies which utilize single use plastic products to put up collection centers for cash or goods in exchange for the used recyclable plastic products.

It also aims to help reduce the volume of waste.

The council emphasized the Republic Act No. 11898, otherwise known as the “Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022," which amended Republic Act No. 9003, which states that: It is hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program which shall."

It added, "Institutionalize the extended producer responsibility mechanism as a practical approach to efficient waste management, focusing on waste reduction, recovery and recycling, and the development of environment-friendly products that advocate the internationally accepted principles on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy, and producers’ full responsibility throughout the life cycle of their product.”

Under the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, companies are “obliged to have the responsibility for the proper and effective recovery, treatment, recycling or disposal of their products after they have been sold and used by consumers in order to reduce the volume of plastic wastes, as well as extend the life of plastics by adding value or purpose through recycling or upcycling.”

Councilor Rey Gealon led the proposal in the City Council and he saw the importance of the collection center.

"Dako kaayo nig ikatabang sa programang ‘gubat sa basura’ sa atong pinalanggang mayor. Kung naay mga collection centers lukop syudad o asa ning mga gitawag og "hot zones" o mga lugar o eskina nga maoy labayanan o tapokanan sa basura, mahipos ng kasagaran ning maong mga basura og ma-minusan na ang pagbaha," said Gealon, in interview with The Freeman yesterday.

Gealon also appealed to the public not to throw their garbage anywhere.

"Sayod ta nga ang kasagarang hinungdan sa pagbaha dinhi sa syudad mao ang pagbara sa kasapaan, drainage og canal nga na-alihan sa bul-og sa basura, labi na mga "plastic bottles" og uban pang "single-use plastic," he added. — GMR (FREEMAN)