Leones said it is potent for the Philippines to invest in infrastructure for solid waste management and recycling for the country to transition from a traditional linear economy or the take-make-dispose model to a circular economy. Per the agency, the circular economy transition involves strategies like product-as-a-service models, take-back programs, and innovative product design approaches, necessitating investments in technology and infrastructure.

“Investing in infrastructure for solid waste management and recycling is vital for achieving circular economy in the Philippines,” he underscored.

He added that: “Facilities such as waste collection centers, recycling plants, material recovery facilities need to be established… These infrastructure will enable efficient sorting, processing, recycling of waste materials, losing the dependence on landfills in promoting circular economy…by identifying technologies that can recycle, upcycle, and repurpose the plastic waste.”