Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has reinforced its commitment to sustainability through a new partnership with Plastic Flamingo Philippines, Inc. (PLAF), a social enterprise dedicated to combating plastic pollution.
Under the memorandum of agreement, Meralco will turn over its collected plastic waste to PLAF for upcycling into durable construction materials and eco-friendly furniture.
“Proper waste management is only the beginning. Real sustainability is finding ways to convert waste into something that benefits both the environment and the communities around us,” said Meralco Vice President and Head of Facilities and Safety Management Jerry B. Lao.
Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho emphasized that the partnership with PLAF reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to embedding sustainability—deliberately and decisively—into every facet of its operations.
“With PLAF’s help, we are turning our plastic waste into useful materials–diverting them away from landfills and oceans, and contributing to a circular economy,” he said.
PLAF, a French social enterprise working to address marine plastic pollution, also underscored the significance of the partnership and its broader potential to drive corporate action for the environment.
“By working together, we are setting an example of how corporations can lead the way in environmental stewardship and fostering circular economy practices,” PLAF Partnerships and Operations Manager Krisha G. Rubia said.
This new collaboration is part of Meralco’s Race to Zero Waste program, a flagship sustainability program since 2020 that aims to significantly reduce the company’s waste footprint by minimizing waste generation and maximizing diversion from landfills.
“A key driver of its wide success was our groundbreaking ban on single-use plastics which was put in place in 2019. This boosted our waste diversion rate more than fivefold—from a baseline of 17% to 95% today. This partnership with PLAF builds on that achievement, translating our sustainability efforts into real, measurable, and meaningful impact for both people and the planet,” Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo said.
For the company, promoting more responsible consumption and supporting a circular economy across all Meralco facilities play a significant role in its broader sustainability agenda.
“More than just a program, Race to Zero is a movement within our company–one that challenges how we manage our waste, how we consume, and how we can be more mindful stewards of the environment,” Aperocho said.
With sustainability deeply embedded at the core of its strategy and operations, Meralco has been integrating environment-friendly solutions and technologies throughout its network–in support of its overarching sustainability agenda, “Powering the Good Life,” which is rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and anchored on four pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity.
