Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday warned companies covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law to comply with their plastic recovery obligations as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued 155 show-cause letters to potential violators. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the DENR is auditing companies' plastic recovery rates to determine compliance with Republic Act 11898 or the EPR Act of 2022.

According to Philippines News Agency, the law mandates that covered enterprises must recover or offset an increasing portion of their plastic packaging footprint, aiming to reach a 60 percent recovery rate by 2026, 70 percent by 2027, and 80 percent from 2028 onward. Castro emphasized that companies failing to meet these targets will face penalties, as quoted from the DENR, "Kapag hindi nag-comply, bibigyan po sila at papatawan ng penalty."

The warning comes amidst mounting concerns over plastic waste clogging Metro Manila's waterways and pumping stations, exacerbating flooding issues. During an inspection of the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City, it was noted that even fully operational pumps may lose efficiency when clogged with garbage, including plastic waste.

Castro further mentioned that the issuance of 155 show-cause letters does not automatically imply that the companies have been penalized but serves as a notice of their potential non-compliance with EPR obligations. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of acknowledging companies that exceed the required recovery targets, thereby promoting adherence to environmental responsibilities.

DENR data cited by Castro revealed that the audited recovery rates for 2024 reached 59.98 percent for rigid plastics and 56.33 percent for flexible plastics, surpassing the 40-percent target set for that year.