CEMEX Philippines showcases innovative solid waste management solutions

Throughout the country, CEMEX Philippines continues to promote innovative and sustainable solid waste management solutions by engaging government partners, from the national to the municipal level – presenting innovative ideas through summit roadshows and recognizing local government units for their contributions to proper waste management.

These partnerships and summit engagements are part of the company’s commitment to strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration in order to build a better environment and address climate change. Towards this end, CEMEX Philippines recognized five towns for their contribution to a more circular economy.

CEMEX Philippines recognized representatives from the municipal environment offices of Paete, Siniloan, Kalayaan, Sta Cruz, and Pila in Laguna for their commitment to sustainable solid waste management in their respective towns.

The towns of Paete, Siniloan, Kalayaan, Sta. Cruz, and Pila in Laguna received special recognition from CEMEX Philippines, acknowledging their residual plastic waste footprint reduction through co-processing. The awarding was held during the meeting of the Association of Laguna Environment and Natural Resources Officers and Advocates Inc. (ALENROA Inc.) in Cabuyao City. More than 300,000 kilograms of qualified solid wastes from the said municipalities were already co-processed into alternative fuels.

“We want to build the capacity of our local government units in terms of waste management. An efficient waste management solution involves the whole-of-society approach. Businesses and local governments can co-process their solid waste with us to create a positive impact on communities and the environment,” said CEMEX Philippines’ Atty. Christer Gaudiano, ERM, Communications and Public Affairs Director. 

Partners of CEMEX have expressed the positive impact of the waste management initiative in their respective localities. 

“Malaki talaga ang tulong ng CEMEX kasi 2016 pa partner na kami ni CEMEX. Malaki talaga yung reduction. Of course, na-meet naming yung goal ng waste diversion ng DENR,” said Engr. Maria Lourdes San Miguel, MENRO designate and GSO of Sta. Cruz, Laguna. 

(CEMEX is really helping us a lot because we have been a partner of CEMEX since 2016. It’s a really big help in terms of (waste) reduction. Of course, we were able to meet our waste diversion goal’ said Engr. Maria Lourdes San Miguel, MENRO designate and GSO of Sta. Cruz, Laguna.)

“Ito ay isang malaking tulong para sa aming pamahalaang bayan dahil sa halip na itapon pa ito sa disposal shed, ngayon naiipon namin at nadadala namin sa CEMEX, at nakakatulong kami sa pamamagitan ng alternative technology na ipinagkaloob sa amin ng CEMEX,” added Ms. Reynesiba Corpuz, NDRRMO designated member.

(‘This is really a big help for our  municipal government because instead of dumping wastes to our disposal shed, we are able to collect and bring them to CEMEX, and we are able to help in the alternative technology given to us by CEMEX, added Ms. Reynesiba Corpuz, NDRRMO designated member.)  

(Center) Atty. Lysander Castillo, Public Affairs Manager of CEMEX Philippines, receives a certificate of appreciation from the DENR – Environmental Management Bureau – Mimaropa region. Atty. Castillo shared CEMEX’s best practices in solid waste management and the benefits of co-processing during the Environmental Summit 2022.

Additionally, during the EMB Region 4B Environmental Summit 2022 organized by the Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB-Mimaropa), CEMEX Philippines showcased its best practices in initiating the green movement towards responsible consumption and waste diversion. The two-day forum provided a platform for local government units in the MIMAROPA region to discuss relevant topics on improving environmental quality, particularly ecological solid waste management. 

During the Clean Air Exhibit at SM Cebu City Trade Hall, CEMEX Philippines showcased its innovative solid waste management solutions. Visitors were also able to view the successful implementations of environmental and social management programs.

Meanwhile in Cebu, CEMEX Philippines participated in the Clean Air Exhibit as part of the Clean Air Month culmination activity of the Environmental Management Bureau – Region 7 (DENR-EMB-7). The CEMEX booth highlighted air quality management, climate action strategies such as carbon footprint reduction and climate change mitigation, and the company’s contributions and best practices in environmental protection. This includes the company’s co-processing technology, which is an environmental process that involves turning qualified solid waste into alternative fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels. 

Representatives from the DENR – Environmental Management Bureau Region 7 awarded a certificate of appreciation to APO Cement for its significant contribution to waste management. Jenevy Patalingjug, APO’s Environmental Manager, received the certificate.

“This exhibit is a way for the company to enhance public awareness about our environmental actions and best practices for maintaining the air quality standards in the area where we operate,” said Jenevy Patalingjug, Environmental Manager, APO Cement. “We want to share to the public how we protect the environment, care for our employees and upbuild our communities,” Patalingjug added.

All of these efforts are part of CEMEX’s “Future in Action” strategy which aims for the company to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 35 percent by 2025 and 40 percent by 2030, with the ultimate goal of becoming a net-zero CO2 company by 2050.

ADVT.