Repurposing of plastic waste is the initiative the government wants to prioritize, stressing that many of the country's plastic wastes can actually be transformed for economic value. DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that one of the issues regarding plastic waste that the government must address is how much they can be reprocessed and repurposed. "I don’t want to use the word 'recycled' so medyo kaunting gasgas na po iyong recycled (it is already overused). Pero (But) repurpose is one of those words na kailangan po nating isali dito po sa (that we need to include in the) dialogue on solid waste management. Kasi po (Because), many of our plastic wastes can actually be transformed for economic value," Loyzaga said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The Environment chief cited data from the World Bank which shows that about 79 percent of the value of these plastics is lost, stressing "they could be repurposed to the Philippine economy each year." "And that value associated po with the 70 percent material value of the plastics can generate, by calculation of the World Bank, about $790 to $890 million per year," she said. "In order for us to generate that economic value, we do need to make some changes in terms of the way we collect, recover and repurpose itong mga plastic wastes na ito," she added. Loyzaga further said that the extended producer responsibility law will be launched on Aug. 4. This would task the local government units and the private sector to include in their efforts the repurposing of plastic wastes. The official explained that upcycling of waste is part of the repurposing agenda, noting that upcycling processes are important as these can actually manufacture waste into building materials such as furniture and other types of products that can suit our daily needs.

Occupational safety

When asked how the government would respond to health concerns connected to upcycling of plastic wastes, which involves melting of plastics, Loyzaga said occupational safety in workplaces must be bolstered. "Very important po iyong occupational safety for those that are part of these types of operations, in terms of emissions, potential for emissions. This is one of the considerations talaga po ng DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) in terms of regulation," Loyzaga said. "So what we would like to do is, in fact, enhance what we call the continuous emissions monitoring system that we have for different manufacturing facilities," she added. The DENR chief explained that they are monitoring what is being emitted by certain types of operations, including the power plants, cement manufacturing facilities, and the small-scale processing of plastics. She mentioned that they still have to monitor the small-scale plastic processing facilities harder as these are the facilities that cannot afford a monitoring system. "And DENR is also not in the financial situation na puwede naming i-install sa kada outfit, kada facility itong mga air quality monitoring ((that can install  air quality monitoring in every outfit, in every facility). But we are striving to actually enhance our air quality monitoring systems," Loyzaga said.