Mines and Geosciences Bureau bats for plastic-free mines through PLASTIKalikasan program
THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is batting for a plastic-free mining industry as part of its campaign against plastic pollution.
The MGBâs PLASTIKalikasan program launched on Earth Day on April 22 in San Fernando, La Union, aims to address plastic waste management in mining sites and its neighboring communities with the help of various stakeholders.
The program serves as a platform for mining and mineral processing companies to collect, recycle, reuse, and dispose of plastic waste. The program is set to be integrated into a companyâs annual implementation of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (Epep) and ISO 14001:2015, allocated with sufficient budget.
âAt the DENR, our thrust on climate change adaptation and mitigation is at the forefront of our efforts. PLASTIKalikasan is not just a one-day clean-up project, it is a cornerstone of our strategy to build resilience against the impacts of climate change,â Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said in a statement.
Environment Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones delivered the same message on behalf of Yulo-Loyzaga during the Earth Day celebration.
The annual Epep outlines the methods and procedures a company will employ to achieve its environmental protection and management goals throughout the lifespan of the mine. Under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and its revised implementing rules, the EPEP should be prepared and approved before the commencement of mining.
Fifteen MGB Regional Offices spearheaded community clean-up drives during the Earth Day 2024 celebration to launch the PLASTIKalikasan program. Together with MGB offices, over 7,000 participants from mining contractors and permit holders, as well as volunteers from communities, local government, and nongovernment organizations joined the activity. The initial report showed around 47,000 kilograms of plastic and other solid waste were collected at several mining sites and its host and neighboring communities.
âI am delighted that our partners from the mineral industry, our local communities, and other stakeholders have partaken in this collective effort to restore, protect, and sustain our environment,â said Loyzaga.
âTo our partners from the mineral industry, you play a crucial role in this endeavor. You share an equal responsibility in ensuring that your operations adhere to the highest standard of environmental protection and conservation,â she added.
MGB will officially incorporate PLASTIKalikasan in the EPEP for operationalization by 2025.
A planned activity under PLASTIKalikasan is the implementation of an incentive program mechanism to motivate communities to actively participate in the reduction, recycling, or upcycling of plastic waste.
The details of the mechanism, including the types of incentives and the criteria for eligibility will be developed by MGB.
Another PLASTIKalikasan activity is the forging of partnerships between mining companies and non-government and recycling organizations.
According to the MGB, there are 59 operating metallic mines, 61 operating non-metallic mines, and eight mineral processing plants in the Philippines.
Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/05/06/mgb-bats-for-plastic-free-mines-through-plastikalikasan-program/