“Rather than apparently losing heart just a half-year after the release of RA 11898’s IRR , the Secretary should work on more decisive steps to fully implement this law and ensure the compliance of the obliged companies with the registration requirement,” he added.Under the EPR Act of 2022, large companies are required to adopt policies for the proper management of single-use plastic waste.
“The objective here is to reduce waste generation and improve the recyclability or reusability of such wastes as plastic containers or packaging materials as part of a holistic approach in switching to an eco-friendly circular economy,” he said.
He also asked DENR whether or not it was the department that is also slacking off and supposedly not exerting effort to require companies to adhere to the EPR. The government has dangled several benefits for companies that would adhere to the EPR, including incentives should companies sign up for the project. However, as Loyzaga said, only 600 of 4,000 targeted firms, or a meager 15 percent, have signed up.