The Philippine Plastics Industry Association (PPIA) finds plastic avoidance/reduction as extreme solution in addressing the plastic pollution and warning of its economic impact, especially to the poor. The local plastics industry issued this statement in connection with the  Philippines’ submission to the United Nations Environment Programme Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (UNEA INC-2). “Avoidance on the use of plastic avoidance has ripple effect to job generation and the GDP of local economy,” said the PPIA in a statement signed by its President Aaron Timothy Lao and First Vice-President Benjamin Chua. According to the group, plastics leaking to the environment can be solved if proper waste management infrastructures are in place. “Instead of avoidance, we urge the government to explore possibilities of putting up a diversified waste disposal infrastructure like chemical recycling, waste to energy, co-processing, pyrolysis, among others,” the group said. The group would like the government to consider that the majority of Philippine population is composed of low and middle class at 58 percent and 40 percent, respectively, based on the latest Family Income and Expenditure Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). “Should the government decide to ‘close the tap’, it will also mean adding burden and difficulties to classes who benefit from plastic products considering economic efficiency compared to other materials, say for example housewares. We should not ignore the fact that these majority of class are also contributors to the GDP of our country,” said the group. With plastics playing a crucial role in ensuring safety and integrity of products especially in commercial food products, PPIA strongly advocates the practice of proper disposal of plastics to prepare them for recycling instead of avoiding its use. “We need not ‘close the tap’, we need to practice circular economy,” it added. The association also frowns on the popular “no to plastics” slogan and urged people to be more responsible by presenting approaches based on clear scientific knowledge. “Measures should generate positive environmental outcomes and should not inadvertently create new or unintended environmental problems. We should explore smart, safe, and sustainable ways to use plastics, without hampering the economic benefits of plastics,” the statement added. The current trend is in the direction of mechanical recycling, however, this process can be useful for uncontaminated plastics. On the other hand, contaminated plastics especially ones used for food items are suitable for incineration or waste to energy. The PPIA also aspires for a government that is open to accept views from the plastic industry stressing that any move against the industry would affect thousands of employees who tirelessly work at the plants, factors and production sites. “The Philippine Plastics Industry Association is also looking for solutions to address issues against plastics,” the group added citing its active participation in the initiatives under the Enhanced Producers Responsibility Act (RA 11989) and its implementing rules. PPIA is also engaged in educational campaigns and voluntary compliance are already in place to show that the industry is willing to cooperate in achieving circular economy without compromising the job generation and economic activities.