Plastic waste puts EPR compliance under scrutiny

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 20, 2026

Photo Courtesy: DENR

MANILA – Malacañang has warned companies covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law to step up their plastic recovery efforts, as the government moves to hold potential violators accountable amid worsening plastic pollution and flooding.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued 155 show-cause letters to companies being assessed for possible non-compliance with Republic Act 11898, or the EPR Act of 2022.

The law requires covered businesses to recover or offset a growing share of their plastic packaging footprint, 60 percent in 2026, 70 percent in 2027, and 80 percent beginning 2028.

Castro said companies that fail to meet the requirements could face penalties, although the 155 show-cause letters do not automatically mean the companies have already been found liable.

The government’s intensified monitoring comes as plastic waste continues to choke Metro Manila’s waterways and pumping stations, aggravating flooding during heavy rains.

During an inspection of the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted that even fully operational pumps can lose their effectiveness when clogged with garbage.

At the same time, Castro said compliant companies should also be recognized, particularly those that surpass the required recovery targets.

DENR data showed that audited plastic recovery rates in 2024 reached 59.98 percent for rigid plastics and 56.33 percent for flexible plastics, both above the 40-percent target set for that year.