The Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) initiative in Manila City, Philippines, is currently in the final stretch of its implementation, set to conclude in 2025. To ensure the sustainability of its efforts in collaboration with the City of Manila, the project hosted a Plastic Smart Cities Fair on November 25, 2024. This event served as a platform to introduce and connect barangays with various waste solution providers, fostering greater community involvement and awareness.
Communities Collaboration and Innovation for Waste Reduction and Management in the Philippines
The PSC Fair aimed to support communities in improving their solid waste management efforts, particularly in waste reduction. Solutions showcased are tailored to meet the unique needs of each community.
Businesses, including social enterprises, and civil society organisations participated to share their expertise and experience, especially those specialising in waste hauling and collection, plastic waste recycling, plastic alternatives, manufacturing of plastic recycling machines, and support for the informal waste sector.
Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) and Obliged Enterprises (OEs) presented the services they can provide to barangays. Seven project-supported solution providers were among the featured organizations. These providers demonstrated their commitment to helping communities achieve smarter waste practices.
These organizations and social enterprises are currently piloting their solutions in the City of Manila:
- PlasticBank
- Mother Earth Foundation
- Ecowaste Coalition
- Suds Sustainable Pods
- Dewaste Solutions
- Greenspace
- Lampin Club
[Also read: Manila City Launches Innovative Solutions with Social Entrepreneurs to Tackle Plastic Pollution]
The Importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Plastic Reduction
In addition to connecting communities to practical waste and plastic solutions, the fair emphasized the importance of Republic Act 11898, or the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act.
Mr. Jepp Farales, a representative of the Solid Waste Management Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), provided an in-depth discussion on the specifics of the law and the crucial role barangays play in its success. This step empowers communities to act as proactive stakeholders in realizing the EPR law’s goals, particularly in the urban capital of Manila City.
The event welcomed over 300 leaders and representatives from over 100 barangays, reflecting growing interest and momentum for improving waste management in Manila City. Moving forward, this activity is expected to strengthen the partnerships necessary for sustaining the initiative’s mission and inspire innovative approaches to tackling the city’s waste challenges well beyond 2025.
