Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has turned over its first batch of plastic waste to social enterprise The Plastic Flamingo Philippines (PLAF), marking a new milestone in the company’s Race to Zero Waste Program.

The initial donation diverted more than 500 kilograms of plastic waste collected from Meralco’s North, Central, and South Business Areas, as well as its Ortigas Center headquarters. The activity followed the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Meralco and PLAF in May, formalizing their collaboration on waste diversion and circular economy initiatives.

Representatives from Meralco’s Facilities, Safety and Security Management, Networks Distribution Services, Corporate Sustainability Office, and One Meralco Foundation joined the turnover and site visit at PLAF’s facility in Muntinlupa City, underscoring the utility’s cross-functional approach to sustainability.

Meralco said the partnership builds on the progress of its Race to Zero Waste Program, which has increased the company’s waste diversion rate from 17% in 2020 to 95% today. A key contributor to this improvement is Meralco’s company-wide ban on single-use plastics, which has cut single-use plastic waste by 57%, from 45 metric tons in 2021 to 19 metric tons in 2024.

“Race to Zero Waste has been one of our flagship sustainability programs since 2020,” said Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. “This partnership with PLAF allows us to convert waste reduction targets into measurable environmental impact while supporting circular economy solutions.”

PLAF, a French-founded social enterprise operating in the Philippines since 2018, transforms ocean-bound plastic into durable products such as ecoboards, furniture, shelters, and school chairs. The organization has deployed more than 300 plastic collection points across Metro Manila, intercepting plastic waste before it reaches waterways and coastal areas.

Meralco Vice President and Head of Facilities and Safety Management Jerry B. Lao said the initiative reflects a shift from disposal toward resource recovery. “Proper waste management is only the beginning. Real sustainability comes from converting waste into something that benefits both the environment and surrounding communities,” he said.

The plastic waste partnership supports Meralco’s broader sustainability framework, Powering the Good Life, which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and focuses on four pillars: Power, Planet, People, and Prosperity. Through the Race to Zero Waste Program, the company aims to further reduce landfill dependence while scaling up circular solutions across its operations.

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