Manuel V. Pangilinan–led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has advanced its Race to Zero Waste Program with the formal turnover of its first batch of plastic waste to social enterprise The Plastic Flamingo Philippines (PLAF), reinforcing the company’s commitment to circular economy practices and sustainable operations.
The turnover took place during a recent site visit and plant tour at PLAF’s facility in Muntinlupa City. Representatives from Meralco’s Facilities, Safety and Security Management, Networks Distribution Services, Corporate Sustainability Office, and One Meralco Foundation participated in the activity, highlighting the company’s cross-functional approach to responsible waste management.
The initiative forms part of Meralco’s broader sustainability strategy aimed at reducing operational waste while supporting innovative solutions that convert plastic waste into durable, reusable products. In May, Meralco entered into a memorandum of agreement with PLAF to strengthen its waste management efforts under the Race to Zero Waste Program, which targets the diversion of solid waste away from landfills.
For its initial donation, Meralco successfully diverted more than 500 kilograms of plastic waste collected from its North, Central, and South Business Areas, as well as its Ortigas Center headquarters. This effort complements Meralco’s company-wide ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), which has reduced SUPs in its waste stream by 57 percent—from 45 metric tons in 2021 to 19 metric tons in 2024.
Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo underscored the program’s impact. “Race to Zero Waste has been one of our flagship sustainability programs since 2020 and has boosted our waste diversion rate more than fivefold—from a baseline of 17 percent to 95 percent today. This partnership with PLAF builds on that achievement, further translating our sustainability efforts into real, measurable, and meaningful impact for both people and the planet,” he said.
PLAF, a French-founded social enterprise operating in the Philippines since 2018, focuses on transforming ocean-bound plastic into 100-percent recycled products such as ecoboards, shelters, furniture, and school chairs. With over 300 collection points deployed across Metro Manila, PLAF intercepts plastic waste before it reaches waterways and converts it into eco-products that support communities and livelihoods.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the partnership delivers clear business value for Meralco. By diverting waste from landfills and reducing dependence on single-use plastics, the company is lowering long-term waste management costs, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening compliance with evolving environmental regulations.
The program also enhances Meralco’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance—an increasingly critical factor for investors, lenders, and regulators. With a waste diversion rate now reaching 95 percent, Race to Zero Waste demonstrates measurable outcomes that support risk management, capital access, and long-term resilience in the Philippine power sector.
Meralco Vice President and Head of Facilities and Safety Management Jerry B. Lao emphasized that sustainability goes beyond waste reduction. “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,” he said.
The initiative aligns with Meralco’s sustainability agenda, Powering the Good Life, which is anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and guided by four strategic pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity. Through these efforts, Meralco ensures that every kilogram of plastic diverted contributes to a cleaner environment and a more resilient future for Filipinos.