A POPULAR proverb says that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." In this sense, we have taken many steps toward moving away from our plastic-filled legacy, from banning single-use plastics such as straws in some cities to encouraging the use of recyclable materials by the private sector. Our journey, however, has just started.

Plastics, in a way, are ingrained in our culture; instead of bottles of shampoo, most of the population often opts for single-use sachets. Beverages served in sari-sari stores are often consumed from plastic bags and sipped through plastic straws. Can we blame consumers for the plastic crisis when we have built such a reliance on the ubiquitous material? Just as the problem has no singular cause, there is no single solution to undoing our plastic legacy. We must take a holistic approach with responsibility and accountability at its core.

This is where extended producer responsibility (EPR) comes in. By recognizing that we must tackle the issue at its source, we can perhaps move toward a greener and more sustainable future. As the chief sustainability officer of P&A Grant Thornton and a member (and recently inducted director and vice president) of the Rotary Club of Makati, I advocate for urgent action.

Last June 24, 2024, P&A Grant Thornton, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Makati, held a hybrid public forum on sustainability titled "Unwrapping Change: Transforming the Philippines from its Plastic Legacy thru EPR." Featuring speakers and panelists from different sectors, our discussions focused on creating a roadmap through small ripples of change toward sustainability, with the aim of making a big impact. During the event, guest speakers and experts agreed that we must go beyond mere compliance in tackling the issue.

Plastic's global chokehold

The plastic crisis is not just an environmental issue — it is a health crisis as well. David Retter, in a Forbes article titled "Amid the Plastic Waste Crisis, A New Scientific Discovery Offers Hope," said that only 9 percent of plastic waste has ever been recycled. To put things into perspective, it is estimated that one garbage truck's worth of plastic enters the world's oceans every minute. This constant influx of pollution harms wildlife and destroys ecosystems.

Our reliance on plastic has also led to a myriad of health issues. For instance, microplastics — tiny particles of plastic born from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products — are linked to lung inflammation and a higher risk of lung cancer, metabolic disorders, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance and decreased reproductive health, according to another Forbes article by Mary Roeloffs.

Turning plans, into action

At our recently concluded public forum, which was attended by about 300 online and in-person participants, a key point was that we must take proactive steps. "This is the legacy we have inherited, but not the legacy we must pass on," Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said as he outlined current and future government initiatives toward circularity. The national government is working toward zero plastic waste by closing plastic leakage pathways, enabling recycling and managing plastic demand. Local governments are also moving toward sustainability with initiatives such as ordinances to ban plastics.

As for the private sector, it is primarily expected to comply with EPR. Panelist Erica Cardoso, managing director of Evergreen Labs, cited the importance of purpose-driven, impactful initiatives that benefit both the environment and society. She pointed out the importance of collaborating with local governments and adjusting programs to communities.

Keynote speaker Rina Neoh, secretary general of the ESG Association of Malaysia, offered practical advice to Filipino companies on how they can play a pivotal role in reducing plastic waste. She encouraged businesses to invest in plastic deposit machines, which have been successfully used in several countries to incentivize recycling. The machines allow consumers to return used plastic bottles and containers for a small monetary reward, promoting recycling at the consumer level.

To face the crisis on the consumer side, both individual and community initiatives must be started to reduce our reliance on plastics. These changes won't happen overnight; our path toward undoing this legacy all starts with awareness and planning.

The journey ahead

Embodying the goals of EPR, rather than focusing on its stipulations and requirements, is the first step toward achieving a sustainable circular economy. Everyone has a role to play, and small steps can truly create big ripples of change. It is up to each of us to pave the way for these small steps and direct them toward our greater goal.

Toward the conclusion of the forum, both P&A Grant Thornton and the Rotary Club of Makati, together with the different sectors represented by the speakers and panelists, pledged to continue working together in creating awareness of the plastic crisis and getting everyone involved for a holistic approach to combating the crisis and transforming the Philippines from its plastic legacy.

Now more than ever, let's focus our efforts on bridging the gap between awareness, action and accountability and fostering a culture of innovation and responsibility that propels us toward a plastic-free future. This is going beyond compliance!

Chris Ferareza is the chief sustainability officer and partner for advisory services at P&A Grant Thornton. One of the leading audit, tax, advisory and outsourcing firms in the Philippines, P&A Grant Thornton is composed of 29 partners and 1,500 staff members. We'd like to hear from you! Tweet us at @GrantThorntonPH, like us on Facebook at P&A Grant Thornton, and email your comments to pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com. For more information, visit our website at www.grantthornton.com.ph.