The circular economy (CE) can serve as a unifying framework to improve waste management in the Philippines, but its full potential hinges on addressing structural gaps—particularly the limited integration of the informal waste sector (IWS) and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to local researchers.
A policy note by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), authored by Senior Research Fellow Sonny Domingo and colleagues, outlines how CE pathways can reshape waste practices and strengthen environmental governance at both national and local levels.
While existing laws—including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act—provide a solid foundation, implementation remains uneven. The study cites weak enforcement, unclear institutional mandates, and limited upstream interventions as key constraints.
Stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic, noting recent policy gains but pointing to persistent governance gaps and the need to tailor CE strategies to local conditions. Integrating the IWS and MSMEs into formal waste systems is seen as critical to scaling impact.
The authors stress that CE strategies must go beyond waste disposal, focusing instead on waste reduction and more efficient, sustainable production and consumption patterns.
“Strategies that empower these groups not only enhance implementation capacity but also ensure that social equity is embedded in CE programs,” the authors said, emphasizing the role of community participation in driving behavioral change.
To accelerate CE adoption, the study calls for clearer institutional roles, stronger enforcement of existing laws, and better alignment of national and local policies. It also underscores the importance of embedding social and environmental justice in CE initiatives.
Among the key policies cited are the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the EPR Act, the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Green Jobs Act.
The EPR Act of 2022 mandates companies to implement waste reduction, collection, and diversion programs, while encouraging upstream measures such as the use of recycled materials and sustainable product design. Meanwhile, the Green Jobs Act provides incentives for businesses engaged in environmentally sustainable activities, including recycling and innovative waste solutions.