DOST unveils three tech developments to combat PH plastic issues

Tech groups are making an attempt to solve the Philippines’ plastic-related concerns with three newly developed technologies.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Science and Technology unveiled the technologies developed by three start-up companies under the agency’s Startup Grant Fund (SGF) Program.

Among them is the Recycle On-Demand Bin (ROBIN),developed by startup company Robin Machine Manufacturing.

ROBIN acts as a “reverse vendo system” that gathers recyclable items in exchange for various things including cash, wifi access, charging ports, or reward points for partner retailers.

The second technology is the cassava bioplastic developed by startup company SACHI Group Inc., which studies additives for cassava bioplastics to improve and cut manufacturing costs of properties.

And finally, roofing tiles created from waste single-use plastics (SUP) developed by startup company Lesstics Inc.

All three projects aims to help the country mitigate the effects of plastic waste in the Philippines, following earlier reports of the country being among the countries with the high incidence of microplastic ingestion.

“Startups are a powerful economic force," said DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidium Jr.

"We at DOST continue to provide solutions and open opportunities for our industries as we move towards strengthening our circular economy. Through R&D, startups can bring transformative innovations and bring solutions to national concerns,” he added.

“We are excited to see these technologies get into the hands of our citizens and being fully utilized.  We hope to see more innovations in the future, and we are ready to support these game changers in the country,” added  DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit.

Data from the World Bank show the country consumes up to 163 million pieces of plastic sachets per day, which contributes to 2.3 million tons of plastic waste annually. Only 28% of it is recycled.

But while plastic recycling is welcome news, Break Free from Plastic global coordinator Von Hernandez says what needs to be done is address the over-production of plastic. 

"if you keep producing more and more [plastic], recycling will not be able to keep up," he told GMA News Online.

“There is so much plastics out there, it’s impossible [for recycling] to catch up. You need to address production first," he added.

In July 2022, Senator Loren Legarda filed the Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2022, to cover the manufacture, importation, use, recycling, and disposal of all single-use plastics used in trade or commerce in business enterprises, as well as by retailers and consumers in the Philippines.

The bill intended to phase-out single-use plastics and recycle or properly dispose of those already in circulation. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/LA, GMA Integrated News