Amid mounting challenges on solid waste in the country, municipalities are increasingly recognizing the indispensable role of local residents in implementing effective waste management. In Teresa, Rizal, the LGU has harnessed the power of collective action. The residents, unsung heroes of waste management in Teresa LGU, are able to divert 80% of waste away from landfills through the LGU’s 4 major sections in its Materials Recovery Facility:
Production of coco-net from coconut husks collected from farms and wet markets
Bio-compost
RDF production which are delivered to Republic Cement for its alternative fuels partnership program
Shredded plastics turned into pillows, concrete pavers, and hollow blocks
Generating local employment, the MRF employs 25 local residents for residual waste diversion, 15 employees for coco-net production, and another 10 employees for plastic shredding and concrete block production. The collaboration between local residents and the LGU stands not only as a core component of effective waste management in the municipality but also as a source of pride and livelihood for Teresa LGU and its locals.
Wastes for Cement Partnership
As early as 2004, Teresa Municipal Mayor Rodel Dela Cruz has been a vocal supporter of the “Waste for Cement” partnership with Republic Cement. The partnership program between Republic Cement and a local government unit operates under a mechanism in which a ton of residual waste plastic is exchanged for a number of cement bags. These cement bags in turn can be used for various environmental projects of the partner LGU. The Teresa MRF makes use of the cement to produce hollow blocks, concrete pavers, and other products.
This MRF is cited as the model facility in the province of Rizal for managing waste. The MRF is now a Lakbay-Aral exhibit and recently a tourist attraction for students and NGOs alike.
Pioneer of Plastic Neutrality
Republic Cement was an early adapter of Plastic Neutrality, with Nestle Philippines being one of its first partners pre-dating the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Law. Beginning in 2018, Nestle Philippines, Inc. entered into an agreement deputizing Republic Cement to source, collect, and dispose of single-use plastic via co-processing technology.
Nestle Philippines’ Sustainability and Supply Chain teams recently joined Republic Cement – Teresa Plant’s visit to its host municipality’s Central MRF to learn about its projects on waste diversion, plastic waste minimization, and other waste-related livelihood programs.
Under the new EPR Law, large enterprises are mandated to create a plan to reduce, recover, and/or divert their single-use plastic packaging footprint starting in 2023.
ecoloop, Republic Cement’s resource recovery group, offers its Plastic Neutrality scheme to all obliged enterprises under the provisions of plastic waste diversion. In addition to Waste for Cement partnerships with LGUs, other sources of plastic waste include sanitary landfills, waste consolidators, and junkshops, among other sources of waste.
For more information on ecoloop, visit www.republiccement.com/ecoloop or email ecoloop@republiccement.com.