The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted its first-ever Road to Zero Waste Summit with the goal of promoting and demonstrating various practices that support a more sustainable and circular economy in order to address the pressing issues related to solid waste management in the metropolis.
The summit is part of the 10-Year Road to Zero Waste Program for Metro Manila aimed at transforming waste management practices in the region as part of a broader strategy shift from a traditional linear economy, where waste is discarded to a more sustainable circular economy that emphasizes waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery.
During the event, MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in achieving the goal of the program.
“Your presence is a testament to your commitment to ensuring its success as we pursue the Metro Manila 10-Year Road-To-Zero Waste Program,” Artes said during the opening ceremony.
“The program is designed to encompass all types of waste generated in the metropolis, focusing on innovative approaches that transform solid waste into valuable resources,” the MMDA chief added.
The summit showcased an array of exhibits featuring products made from solid waste as well as technologies that utilize solid waste as raw material for further processing.
“Today marks the beginning of a dynamic collaboration between the government and the private sector.”
“Today marks the beginning of a dynamic collaboration between the government and the private sector intended to bridge the gap in promoting environmental sustainability through the ecological use of solid waste as a source,” Artes stressed.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said Metro Manila’s 10-Year Road to Zero Waste Plan is a commitment to solid waste disposal and management, protecting landfills; proactive adherence to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Extended Producer’s Responsibility Act of 2022; including advocacy for a green procurement roadmap, among other implementing laws.
According to a 2023 Waste Analysis and Characterization study in Metro Manila conducted by the MMDA, almost 21.44% of the waste from households can be recycled. Moreover, a report by the DENR-EMB estimated that 85% of waste generated can be composted.
“We cannot ignore the urgent need to address these waste types. If left unattended, they will continue to degrade our environment, pollute our waterways, contribute increasingly to flooding, and hinder our economic growth, ultimately impacting our economy and overall public health,” Lipana said.
The MMDA will also continue to prioritize integration of solid waste management plans, promoting eco-products, advocating for societal behavioral change, and adapting technologies.
“We are creating an avenue to empower our barangays, promote environmental education, and foster a culture of responsibility for a lasting commitment tomorrow and for future generations.”
“Let us work together towards a sustainable Metro Manila and divert waste into valuable resources instead of sending them to our landfills. Today, we are creating an avenue to empower our barangays, promote environmental education, and foster a culture of responsibility for a lasting commitment tomorrow and for future generations,” he said.
Officials who expressed support to the program are City Mayor of Malabon Jeannie L. Sandoval; Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Atty. Jonas R. Leones; Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary for Local Government Atty. Jessi Howard S. Lanete; Commissioner Crispian Lao, Vice Chairman of National Solid Waste Management Commission; and Laguna Lake Development Authority Acting General Manager Atty. Senando A. Santiago.
The MMDA also expressed gratitude to the private sector working together with the agency to achieve a closed-loop system of solid waste management.
Private partners have also signed a pledge of commitment to support the exploration of innovative solutions to effect social change and environmental development to help the government champion the goal of implementation of comprehensive and integrated solid waste management strategies.
Spearheaded by the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office, the summit also targets to further solid waste management (SWM), raise waste technology awareness, promote the Philippine Green Public Procurement Roadmap, provide platform for waste processors and private recyclers to be integrated in the Metro Manila Solid Waste Management Landscape, and establish linkages between public and private sectors for communities.
The event intends to raise public awareness on adopting good practices and secure support for systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management. It is also designed to raise the level of public awareness on adopting the good practices and secure its full support and active participation in the systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management.
Other key features of the summit include forums led by reputable resource speakers from various sectors and for different advocacies ranging from community to metro-wide approaches that will lead panel discussions ang sessions; network mapping with an interactive design to learn more about proper segregation and the currently mapped waste diversion points to various recyclers in Metro Manila towards sustainability; campaigns on proper segregation, resource value, including alternative ways on handling waste.
