SENATOR Cynthia Villar urged the public to grab the opportunity to revolutionize waste management through “circular economy” approach.

Villar said this is one of these initiatives of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Villar authored RA No. 11898 or the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022.

“The EPR Act mandates large enterprises to take responsibility for the proper and effective recovery, recycling, or disposal of the plastic packaging used on their products after they have been sold and used by consumers.

“The goal is to cut down non-environmentally friendly packaging, boost recycling, and promote effective waste recovery to mitigate environmental pollution,” she said.

According to the senator, the EPR law presents an opportunity to dramatically reduce plastic waste and facilitate our transition toward a circular economy.

With the implementation of the EPR Act, she said it is a step in the right direction.

She said long before the concept of “circular economy” became popular, its principles were already at the heart of their waste management practices.

With Villar SIPAG, they launched barangay-based livelihood enterprises that turn waste into valuable products, embodying the essence of a circular economy.

“A circular economy creates a loop and requires us to keep resources in use for as long as possible through reuse, and recycling. It stands in stark contrast to the traditional linear economy, which follows a ‘take, make, dispose’ pattern,” she explained.

The circular economy approach, she further emphasized, does not only reduces the demand for new resources but also fosters sustainable growth and preserves our environment.

Still, she cited the need for cooperation and sustainable practices to safeguard our environment for the present and future generations.

AUTHOR PROFILE

PS Jun M. Sarmiento