Page 41 - Plastics News February 2021

internAtionAL news

Phillipines QC to resume ban Verra and 3R Initiative launch

on plastic bags, SUP beginning new scheme to reduce plastic
March 1 waste

tarting March 1, plastic bags and single-use plastics will lobal non-profit standard-
Sonce again be banned in Quezon City. In a statement, Gset ter V erra and
the local government of Quezon City said that it will sustainability-focused coalition
resume implementing City Ordinance 2868-2019. The use 3R Initiative have launched a
of brown paper bags in groceries and other retail stores new scheme that aims to
will only be allowed this year. But starting 2022, it will reduce plastic waste. The
also be prohibited as part of the full implementation of plastic stewardship initiative is
the ordinance. As plastic bags and paper bags will soon be a new scheme, which includes
banned, Quezon City residents are now encouraged to bring the Guidelines for Corporate
their own reusable bags. Quezon City started implementing Plastic Stewardship and Plastic
the ban in January 2020, but was temporarily lifted in May Waste Reduction Standard
the same year through the city’s localized guidelines for (Plastic Standard). Developed by the 3R Initiative,
Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and South Pole, Quantis and EA, the Guidelines for
its succeeding versions. In a memorandum issued by city Corporate Plastic Stewardship will enable companies
Mayor Joy Belmonte, all shopping malls, supermarkets, to clearly measure and report their plastic footprints,
fast-food chains, drug stores and other retailers registered leakage and plastic waste reduction commitments.
under the Business Permits and Licensing Department
“should cease the distribution and/or provision of plastic The Verra-developed Plastic Standard allows firms to
bags to their customers.” Aside from this, Quezon City will invest in projects that collect and recycle plastic waste,
also be enforcing the ban on the distribution of disposable specifically designed for companies that have broadly
and single-use plastics in restaurants and hotels for dine-in expanded their efforts to lower the plastic footprint
across operations. Furthermore, the plastic stewardship
initiative offers incentives to companies investing in
the new or scaled-up collection and recycling projects
that contribute to the effort. Verra chief executive
officer David Antonioli said: “With less than 10% of
the 350 million tonnes of plastic produced each year
currently recycled, we face an unprecedented plastic
pollution crisis which must be addressed. “If just ten
of the top plastic producers in the world adopted this
new plastic stewardship initiative, it would remove
more than one million tonnes of plastic waste leaked
into the environment each year.” Verra will be leading
transactions beginning July 1, 2021, the LGU said. This is the development of the 3R Standards for Project and
in line with City Ordinance 2876-2019, where restaurants Corporate Accounting and is currently seeking members
are prohibited from “distributing single-use plastic/ for the 3R Project Standard Development Committee.
disposable materials to their dine-in customers such as The multistakeholder 3R Project Standard Development
plastic spoon and fork, knives, plastic/paper cups, plates, Committee (PSDC) will help ensure that only high-
plastic/paper straws, coffee stirrers and other disposable quality projects achieving their stated waste-reduction
materials and styrofoam. ““Hotels, on the other hand, outcomes will be credited and that the standard’s
are also not allowed to distribute soap, shampoo, shower widespread use will result in a significant increase in
gels, liquid soap, conditioners, and other items used for recovery and recycling rates around the world.
hygienic purposes in sachets and single-use containers,”
the LGU said of the second ordinance.

41 Februar y 2021 Plastics News