DOST-NCR Advocates for Use of Innovations to Address Single-Use Plastic Pollution

The DOST-NCR held an advocacy webinar on plastic reduction titled Filipino and Innovations Towards Sustainable Development in partnership with non-government organizations, and DOST research and development institutes on November 12, 2021.

In his message, DOST-NCR Regional Director Jose B. Patalinjug III mentioned that through the years, "the Philippines has become a 'sachet economy' with a significant reliance on single-use plastics" and this posed an alarming level of solid waste mismanagement and marine plastic pollution.

Earlier this year, the DOST-NCR and Rethink Plastic, an international non-government organization, held a forum on sustainable packaging trends and technologies for plastic reduction to raise awareness on this pressing issue.

As a follow through, the group conducted this webinar to discuss available material innovations and best practices to act against the indiscriminate consumption of single-use plastics. This webinar featured innovations from local research institutes such as DOST-ITDI's Polymer Technology and DOST-FPRDI's Engineered Bamboo Products. The webinar also featured innovations from entrepreneurs such as Nala Women's Biodegradable Sanitary Pad and Suds Sustainable Pods' biodegradable soap pods.

A total of 344 participants from local government units, academic institutions, and industry partners attended the webinar. The activity was conducted as part of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week in Metro Manila.