On 30 October 2025, a workshop titled Deposit Return System in Philippines for Circularity – A Powerful EPR Mechanism was held at Seda Hotel Vertis North, Quezon City. This workshop was a crucial milestone for all the government, industry, and civil society stakeholders to present the results of the Deposit Return System Feasibility Study – Phase 2 and a steppingstone for the country to achieve 80% plastic waste recovery by 2028. 

The workshop was co-organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), GIZ, and WWF Philippines. The main topic of the workshop was the possibility of implementing a DRS in the Philippines to achieve a dramatic increase in beverage container collection through an incentive-based system that encourages consumer input, enabling closed-loop recycling and reduced dependence on virgin materials.

During the opening remarks, Mr. Geir Michalsen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing sustainable waste management solutions

In her keynote message, Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, Undersecretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), underscores the important task of the Deposit Return System in reaching the Philippines’ ambitious goals for retrieving plastic waste. She also stressed that DENR remained committed to promoting incentives, effective Extended Producer Responsibility arrangements for sustainable waste management, and environmental protection.

A message of support came from WWF Philippines, all stressing the importance of joining forces in Waste Management and Circularity.

The context was provided by Liezl Stuart-Del Rosario, WWF Philippines Policy Manager, explaining why the feasibility study was needed in the first place, the study objectives: defining the DRS concept, concluding about the Philippines beverage market, a system possible design, developing a financial model, and suggesting pilot projects.

It was followed by the main presentation by Mr. Rauno Raal and Mr. Kaupo Karba, Earth Care Consulting Inc., including the Study methodology and key findings: state of Waste Management in Philippines, the implementational financial and operational model of DRS, and stakeholders’ perception. The team of consultants explained the opportunity and challenges and prepared actionable recommendations with proposed next steps.

During the workshop, a copy of the feasibility study was formally presented to the Philippine government through Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh.

They were followed by an Open Forum moderated by GIZ with the participation of a Panel by Earth Care Consulting, TOMRA, DENR-EMB, and Civil Society, and private sector, an open exchange of perspectives and answers to the audience.

Representatives from the private sector, including members of Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK), participated in the workshop. This links business perspective with policy making, as well as civil society efforts. And it’s where Philippine circular economy goals can begin to take form in a practical manner.

In the end, Dr. Nicole Kranz, Head of Climate Action and Disaster Resilience project cluster, GIZ Philippines, presented a summary of the main insights and set a roadmap of commitments, roles, next moves towards DRS integration in EPR.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Julius Guirjen, Program Manager of WWF Philippines, expressed appreciation to all those present for their active involvement. He also reminded everyone how important it is that people come together in order to advance the Deposit Return System.

The Workshop on DRS in the Philippines was a significant event in advancing the country’s circular ambitions through evidence-based feasibility of plastic waste recovery improvement for DRS. The outcome of the feasibility study and broad stakeholder engagement creates a collaborative path for pilot testing and future DRS national implementation.