THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has approved the use of plastic waste to extend the lifespan of asphalt pavement, and, at the same time, help address the alarming rise in plastic pollution, one of the major causes of flooding in the metropolis.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan has directed all DPWH regional offices, district engineering offices, and Unified Project Management Office Clusters to use shredded plastic in road construction projects.

Bonoan said the latest policy aims to promote the recycling of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag waste by shredding and using it as an additive to reduce the susceptibility to permanent deformation of bituminous concrete surface course or asphalt concrete.

"This development is in line with the continuing efforts of the department to support sustainable engineering and upgrade construction technology through adoption of successful research studies," he said.

The use of LDPE waste in asphalt cement mix has been successfully tested by the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards.

According to a World Bank report, the Philippines' plastic industry provides low-cost consumer goods to poor and middle-income families.

However, the heavy reliance on single-use plastic has made the country a "sachet economy" that continues to worsen the alarming levels of marine pollution, the WB said.

It is estimated that the Philippines consumes 163 million pieces of sachets every day.

A separate study showed that the Philippines had the biggest share of plastic waste dumped into the ocean in 2019 — 36.38 percent. It is far bigger than India, the second-largest plastic polluter, which accounted for 12.92 percent.

It said 80 percent of plastic waste comes from rivers and seven of the top 10 plastic-polluted rivers in the world are in the Philippines.

The study said the Pasig River has surpassed the Yangtze River of China as the most polluted river in 2017.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has blamed improper waste management practices as a major cause of the widespread flooding in Metro Manila during the monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Carina.

Majority of plastic and other waste materials are thrown into canals, creeks, sewers and other waterways, and eventually clog pumping stations and other flood control equipment.

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