Philippines to Promote 'Upstream Interventions' Under EPR Law for Plastic Waste Prevention

Composite image from DENR, UNDP and INQUIRER files MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is developing guidance that could allow companies to receive recognition under the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law for initiatives that prevent plastic waste before it is generated, marking another step in implementing a measure aimed at addressing the country’s persistent plastic pollution problem. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has begun working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners to develop methodologies for measuring “upstream interventions.” These strategies include reuse and refill systems, packaging redesign, material reduction and the use of recycled content to reduce plastic waste at its source. The initiative comes as the Philippines continues to struggle with plastic waste leakage despite the enactment of Republic Act No. 11898, or the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which requires large companies to recover an increasing share of the plastic packaging they place on the market. According to Earth Action’s 2025 Plastic Overshoot Day Report and World Population Review, the Philippines was projected to generate about 1.51 million metric tons of plastic waste in 2025. Of that amount, an estimated 839,300 metric tons, or 55.56%, was projected to be mismanaged through open dumping, burning, littering or inadequate waste collection and disposal. Earlier DENR data also showed that plastics account for about 24% of the country’s estimated 61,000 metric tons of solid waste generated daily. Much of it consists of single-use packaging and other disposable consumer plastics. The UNDP said strengthening upstream interventions would complement waste recovery efforts by reducing the amount of plastic entering the waste stream in the first place. According to the UNDP, the DENR-EMB, through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Philippines and in collaboration with Plastic Reboot, recently convened technical discussions with Obliged Enterprises (OEs) to gather input for future guidance on measuring plastic footprint reduction under the EPR framework. The EPR Act requires OEs — companies covered by the law — to establish programs for recovering their plastic packaging footprint. Beyond recovery, however, the law and its implementing rules also recognize upstream interventions that reduce plastic use and improve circularity before waste is created. As implementation of the law progresses, the DENR has reported steady gains in compliance. According to the agency, 1,117 OEs met their waste recovery targets in 2024, representing about 70% of the 1,590 companies required to register under the EPR Act. These enterprises were required to recover 80% of their plastic packaging footprint in 2024, up from the 40% recovery target when the law took effect in 2023. The mandatory recovery rate will continue to increase annually until it reaches 100% by 2028. The guidance now being developed focuses on another component of the EPR law: recognizing upstream interventions that prevent plastic waste before it is generated. These include reuse and refill systems, product and packaging redesign, lightweighting, increased recycled content and other approaches intended to minimize plastic waste generation. According to the UNDP, participants shared their experiences in implementing these initiatives and discussed how future methodologies could measure their environmental impact while ensuring transparency and accountability. A statement cited in the UNDP news release said, “The EPR Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations provide the basis for developing the standards, rules, and guidelines necessary to make EPR implementation more effective, efficient, and sustainable. We now have an opportunity, and responsibility, to collectively shape how upstream interventions can be recognized while maintaining environmental integrity, preventing double counting, ensuring transparency, and preserving the credibility of the EPR system.” UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines Christophe Bahuet said the EPR law presents an opportunity to expand efforts beyond collecting plastic waste and toward preventing it from being generated. “The EPR Act gives the Philippines a powerful opportunity to move beyond waste recovery and prevent plastic pollution before it starts. Upstream solutions, such as reuse, refill, better design, and recycled content, are central to this shift,” Bahuet said. “Through NPAP Philippines, UNDP is working with government, business, civil society, academia, and development partners to build the policies, partnerships, and practical tools needed to scale these solutions and turn circular economy principles into action,” he added. READ: Ending global plastic pollution https://opinion.inquirer.net/178162/ending-global-plastic-pollution The UNDP said more companies are beginning to adopt upstream approaches as part of their sustainability initiatives and EPR compliance. However, stakeholders also recognized the need for credible, scientifically sound methodologies that can verify and recognize these efforts under the law. The UNDP said insights gathered during the consultations would help inform the DENR’s continuing work on developing guidance for measuring plastic footprint reduction through upstream interventions. The National Plastic Action Partnership Philippines is a multisector platform led by the DENR that brings together government agencies, businesses, civil society organizations, development partners, vulnerable groups and academic institutions to support the country’s transition to a circular economy and reduce plastic pollution. READ: How LGUs can help implement EPR in their locales The initiative is supported by the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership, the governments of the United Kingdom and Canada, and The Coca-Cola Foundation. The UNDP serves as the partnership’s technical secretariat in the Philippines. Plastic Reboot, meanwhile, is supported by the Global Environment Facility. It is co-led by the United Nations Environment Programme and WWF and implemented in partnership with the UNDP and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). In the Philippines, the program is implemented by UNIDO and executed by the DENR in partnership with PCX Solutions. RELATED STORIES When a law becomes the problem Circular economy: ‘Goods that keep giving’