20-05-2025
DPWH to use PET bottle waste in road projects; Greenpeace says it's not safe
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has approved the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle waste in future road projects, but an advocacy group warned that it might only cause harm to the environment.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan signed a department order formalizing the use of bituminous concrete surface course with PET plastic bottle waste.
This initiative builds on the agency's 2024 rollout of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag waste in road construction.
'Turning waste into valuable resources for building better and more roads is the future of public infrastructure development in the country. The public can expect more of these policies as we vow to continue to fund these construction innovations,' Bonoan said.
The updated specification is now included in the DPWH's Standard Specification for Highways, Bridges, and Airports, Volume II, and integrated into its Project and Contract Management Application for nationwide use.
'Potentially harmful'
But the announcement has drawn criticism from Greenpeace Philippines, which warned about the environmental and health risks posed by plastic waste.
'We shouldn't depend on false solutions,' said Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines.
She said the use of plastic waste in building and maintaining roads 'only creates more problems for the environment and public health.'
'When you take into account the wear and tear that our roads undergo, as well as exposure to the sun and other elements, plastic waste in building roads can be potentially harmful. Plastics contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals, some known as forever chemicals, which can potentially be released and expose communities to health risks. This may also result in the release of more microplastics in the environment,'' Ledesma said.
'The chemicals in plastic are not only linked to cancer, heart disease, other health conditions, and deaths, but they can also bioaccumulate in soil, plants, and animals—eventually reaching people through our food. In the same manner, emissions of microplastics can add to water and air pollution, which can also contaminate our food system.''
Greenpeace suggested reducing plastic production, banning single-use plastics, and implementing "genuine reuse systems" as solutions to the plastic pollution problem. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
