CLARK FREEPORT – The 26th Recyclables and Hazardous Waste Collection Event (RHCWE) recently organized by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has successfully gathered veteran treaters and transporters accredited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) who are committed to protecting the environment through best industry practices.
They are members of the Environmental Practitioners Association (EPA) which partnered with CDC’s Environmental Permits Division (EPD) for the conduct of the bi-annual event which was held from December 14 to 16, 2021.
A total of 75 Clark locators participated in the event, where an estimated partial amount of Php850,000 was spent for the treatment of hazardous wastes alone.
Treaters/transporters also offered low service fees to the locators as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.
EPA President Engr. Rolando Sta. Cruz said the EPA, its member companies, as well as Clark residents are committed to preserving and protecting the environment.
Meanwhile, 1,059 pieces of batteries were collected during the event, worth at least Php100,000.
CDC-EPD Manager Engr. Rogelio Magat shared the humble beginnings of the RHWCE which started in 2003 for recyclables or scrap materials such as papers, plastics, and cartons and used lead-acid batteries (ULAB).
According to Magat, it later expanded through the years, and in 2010, waste/used and busted lamps were also included to prevent the disposal of the toxic mercury into the environment.
For this year, health care wastes such as syringes used in COVID-19 vaccinations, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks and gloves used in healthcare facilities were also included in the collection.
CDC Health and Sanitation Manager Dra. Clemencita Dobles lauded the CDC-EPD for the inclusion of M501 or health care wastes.
Aside from CDC, some of the locators who donated their health care wastes are Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation, Filinvest Mimosa Inc., SFA Semicon Philippines Corporation, Ace Global Technologies, The Medical City Clark, and Donggwang Clark Corporation.
The RHWCE is CDC’s continuing commitment for the proper disposal of common toxic and hazardous wastes through DENR-EMB registered transporters for proper treatment.
