QUEZON CITY, 10 February 2023 – The Climate Change Commission PH (CCC) co-organized the Organics Fair and the 3R (Refill, Reuse, Repair) Revolution Program to promote zero waste and low-carbon solutions.

The two-day Organics Fair included the conduct of the International Zero Waste Cities Conference which was attended by government agencies, civil society organizations, waste management experts and community leaders from across the globe.

Various topics were covered ranging from organics waste management to the adverse impacts of plastics on climate, health, and human rights, enabling sharing of knowledge and technologies on impactful solutions to the plastic waste crisis and climate change.

CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera presented the connection between solid waste and climate change, and the government’s response on the issues.

“The CCC is one in the urgent call to adopt more sustainable consumption patterns and supports innovative policies and solutions to address environmental challenges, including through managing the production, importation, sale, provision, and use of single-use plastics,” Commissioner Herrera said.

In attendance are Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.

Both officials expressed the resolve to strictly enforce the recently enacted Extended Producer Responsibility Act, and call on the public to veer away from the throwaway culture and increase the prevalence of consumer-supported agriculture systems, promoting eco-friendly products from the Organics Fair.

“We have to support consumer-supported agriculture systems where institutional buyers help small farmers and support good, clean and fair food,” Senator Legarda said.

Pioneering local governments with exemplar zero waste practices were also recognized, including the Municipalities of Lazi, Larena, Maria, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, and San Juan in Siquijor; Santo Tomas in Batangas; Kasibu, Villaverde, Alfonso Castañeda, Bayombong, Bagabag, Bambang, Diadi, Dupax Del Norte, Solano and Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya; Basista in Pangasinan; the Cities of Batangas, Malabon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Santiago in Isabela, and San Fernando in Pampanga; and the Provinces of Siquijor, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

“There’s a clear imperative now more than ever for a zero-emissions society and world, which can only be achieved if we start and sustain zero waste practices and systems. It’s a daunting task—one that requires greater cooperation from all sectors, especially from businesses and companies, but it also entails changes to our behavior and mindset on consumption,” Commissioner Herrera concluded.

The DENR Environmental Management Bureau and National Capital Region (EMB, NCR), Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) co-organized the event.

Launched in the Organics Fair are Waste Cities Network and the Zero Methane from Waste Pledge, participated by different government officials and zero-waste practitioners."