City of Manila – In support of the circular economy agenda, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines, with support from the Government of Japan, officially handed over equipment to the city of Manila through the ACE Project.

In a ceremony, a Material Waste Processing facility, composed of a plastic melter machine, multipurpose shredder, glass pulverizer, and other tools was transferred to the city government to strengthen sustainable waste management practices within the city. The handover ceremony signified the collaborative effort to address environmental challenges, emphasizing the importance of responsible waste management and recycling.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrié cited the importance of the mobile MRF to smaller barangays and communities, “With more than 800 barangays, constituting about half of all barangays in the National Capital Region, the City of Manila’s initiative will greatly contribute towards our goal in strengthening the country’s green practices. With these equipment, Manila’s citizens can play a more active role in maximizing technologies for the betterment of the city and its communities,” he said.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, on behalf of Manileños, expressed her gratitude for this successful partnership, “We are grateful to UNDP, through the ACE project, for the donation. The equipment will be brought to different communities and will take its significant role in the promotion of circular economy solutions that involves sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling,” she said.

Meanwhile, in a written statement, the Embassy of Japan showed their support to the City of Manila. "We are pleased to contribute to Manila City's transition to a circular economy, recognizing the city’s potential to drive sustainable growth and reduce environmental impact. Circularity aligns with our commitment to sustainable development, and we believe that these equipment are essential to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation of the city. May we move forward in a way that respects our environment, and benefits both current and future generations," said Jumpei Tachikawa, First Secretary.

The City of Manila is well-positioned to utilize these assets to enhance sustainable waste management practices, such as the processing of plastic waste and the separation and recovery of recyclable materials. Moving forward, Lacuna has committed to increasing social awareness initiatives, urging a greater number, if not the entirety, of Manileños to prioritize solid waste management.

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ABOUT THE ACE PROJECT

The project aims to support the Nationally Determined Contribution through enabling and accelerating the country’s transition to a circular economy, with demonstration in key cities. By doing so, it will help the country achieve economic, social, and environmental goals, while also grasping the potential for substantial and accelerated reductions in GHG emissions across all sectors, while also supporting recovery from the pandemic.

The UNDP ACE Project is in partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and funding from the Embassy of Japan.

If you would like more information about this program, please contact Cheska Peralta (Communications Analyst, UNDP-ACE Project) at ma.francesca.peralta@undp.org or through (+63917)-550-0331.