The Philippine Plastics Industry Association (PPIA) finds plastic avoidance and reduction as an extreme means of addressing the plastic pollution especially and warned of their ripple effect to job generation and economic growth.
PPIA made this statement in reaction to the Philippines’ submission to the United Nations Environment Program Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution which basically “closes the tap” on plastic manufacturing.
“Closing the tap is not the solution… All plastics leaking to the environment can be solved if proper waste management infrastructures are in place,” said Aaron Timothy Lao and Benjamin Chua, president and first vice president, respectively, of PPIA, in a statement.
Instead of avoidance, PPIA urged the government to explore possibilities of putting up a diversified waste disposal infrastructure like chemical recycling, waste to energy, co-processing, pyrolysis, among others.
Should the government “close the tap,” PPIA said this means adding burden and difficulties to classes who benefit from plastic products considering economic efficiency compared to other materials, say for example housewares.
PPIA also said plastics play a crucial role in ensuring safety and integrity of products especially in commercial food products.
“It is also PPIA’s strong advocacy to practice proper disposal of plastics to prepare them for recycling… we need practice circular economy,” the group added.
PPIA said it is looking for solutions to address issues against plastics by actively participating in initiatives pursuant to the Enhanced Producers Responsibility Act and its implementing rules. – Irma Isip
