As part of Consumer Welfare Month (CWM), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a ceremonial destruction of 1,130 pieces of forfeited monobloc chairs and stools at the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) grounds last Oct. 24.

In his speech, DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual emphasized the effort of discarding over 2,500 kilograms of potential waste as “taking a stand against the ever-growing plastic waste mountains threatening our landfills and oceans.”

He added that the Manila City government will breathe new life into these chairs and stools by converting them into useful goods like garbage cans, coasters, or pots through its material recovery facility (MRF) and the Department of Public Services (DPS).

The products destroyed were forfeited for non-compliance with the required markings and standard prescribed under Republic Act No. 4109 or the Standardization Law of the Philippines, as well as Republic Act No.7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

In addition, DTI and Manila LGU have formalized a commitment through a deed, signifying the former’s intent to donate and the latter’s intent to accept the plastic waste generated during the ceremonial disposal process.

The deed signing serves as the prime mover of consumer welfare and alongside its dedication to advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will promote sustainable consumption and production patterns while addressing climate change.

The Manila-LGU has an MRF manned by its DPS that can manage biodegradable, recyclable, and residual waste, which can then be repurposed into livelihood items or reused for purposes such as creating trash bins, coasters, or pots.

Similarly, The Plastic Flamingo – a social enterprise that collects and transforms plastic waste into a range of sustainable construction materials with the goal of reducing plastic pollution – will help in upcycling the destroyed products to other usable item.

“Following the 7Rs of sustainability – Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, and Repair – the Consumer Protection Group (CPG) dedicates its efforts to eliminating non-compliant products from the market. Guided by our mandate, we are committed to ensuring the appropriate disposal of such forfeited products, preventing their contribution to environmental pollution,” Pascual added.

For her part, Consumer Protection Group Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco said that the DTI also recognized the significance of promoting sustainability as an integral component of its continued commitment to safeguarding consumer interests.

Further, she stressed that this initiative should extend across all sectors and levels of government and society.

To protect consumers or potential buyers of electrical and electronic products, mechanical or building and construction materials, and chemical and other consumer products and systems, the DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) regulates 111 products and systems through implementing mandatory product certification schemes.

These include the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.