The Philippines is a signatory to some multilateral environmental agreements, most importantly the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.30 However, the Basel Convention has a “recycling loophole” which can lead to the dumping of toxic wastes in the guise of second-hand goods.31 The Philippines has not yet ratified the Basel Ban Amendment, which amends the Convention, and bans all exports of hazardous wastes from developed countries to all other countries for any reason.32
While failing to ratify the Basel Ban Amendment, the Philippine Senate however ratified the controversial Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in 2008. JPEPA allows the importation of Japanese chemical, hospital and municipal wastes into the Philippines, bolstered by a zero tariff provision that seemed to serve as an incentive to engage in toxic waste trade.33 At the onset of the anti-JPEPA campaign, the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s editorial observed: “Going by the treaty, it seems that the Philippines is now positioning itself as a global waste dump.”34 The Basel Action Network warned: “The waste trade liberalization provisions of JPEPA… can alter the national and global legal landscape and abilities to implement the Basel Convention and its decisions.”35
Action steps
To be fair to government and non-governmental stakeholders, there have been various efforts over the past years to address aspects of the problem, even amidst policy and institutional gaps. Space limitations prevent us from comprehensively listing the various sectoral and multi-stakeholder initiatives and assessing their impact. But below is a glimpse of some that could be relevant in evolving an action agenda:
Some companies now attempt to lessen the toxic components during production. For example, Samsung, Sony, Sony Ericsson and Nokia have committed to remove toxic flame retardants and PVC plastic from some of their devices.36 Others are implementing EPR via take-back schemes, notably Nokia and Hewlett-Packard.37
The Philippine Business for the Environment network’s 400 members participate in a pioneering Industrial Waste Exchange Program (IWEP).38
“Recyclables fairs” and “waste markets” are regularly set up in major shopping malls, with drop-off bins for people’s unused electronic devices.
The iSchools Project of the CICT has embarked on PC maintenance, recycling and ewaste management training for state universities and colleges.39
• Washing machines
• Waste batteries
The Philippines is a signatory to some multilateral environmental agreements, most importantly the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.30 However, the Basel Convention has a “recycling loophole” which can lead to the dumping of toxic wastes in the guise of second-hand goods.31 The Philippines has not yet ratified the Basel Ban Amendment, which amends the Convention, and bans all exports of hazardous wastes from developed countries to all other countries for any reason.32
While failing to ratify the Basel Ban Amendment, the Philippine Senate however ratified the controversial Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in 2008. JPEPA allows the importation of Japanese chemical, hospital and municipal wastes into the Philippines, bolstered by a zero tariff provision that seemed to serve as an incentive to engage in toxic waste trade.33 At the onset of the anti-JPEPA campaign, the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s editorial observed: “Going by the treaty, it seems that the Philippines is now positioning itself as a global waste dump.”34 The Basel Action Network warned: “The waste trade liberalization provisions of JPEPA… can alter the national and global legal landscape and abilities to implement the Basel Convention and its decisions.”35
Action steps
To be fair to government and non-governmental stakeholders, there have been various efforts over the past years to address aspects of the problem, even amidst policy and institutional gaps. Space limitations prevent us from comprehensively listing the various sectoral and multi-stakeholder initiatives and assessing their impact. But below is a glimpse of some that could be relevant in evolving an action agenda:
Some companies now attempt to lessen the toxic components during production. For example, Samsung, Sony, Sony Ericsson and Nokia have committed to remove toxic flame retardants and PVC plastic from some of their devices.36 Others are implementing EPR via take-back schemes, notably Nokia and Hewlett-Packard.37
The Philippine Business for the Environment network’s 400 members participate in a pioneering Industrial Waste Exchange Program (IWEP).38
“Recyclables fairs” and “waste markets” are regularly set up in major shopping malls, with drop-off bins for people’s unused electronic devices.
The iSchools Project of the CICT has embarked on PC maintenance, recycling and ewaste management training for state universities and colleges.39
• Washing machines
• Waste batteries
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