CEMEX Philippines continues to gain ground on its Future in Action commitment through partnerships with the private sector, local government units and other organizations working towards a sustainable future.
Among these partnerships is the plastic neutrality program of Nestlé Philippines, inked last year together with other program partners, where plastic wastes collected are co-processed. Just a year after the partnership was launched, Nestle announced that a total of 27,000 metric tons of plastic was diverted from landfills and bodies of water.
With a shared vision of sustainability and environmental responsibility, the collaboration between the two companies is a two-fold endeavor which contributes to CEMEX’s Future in Action strategy to reduce C02 emissions by 35% by 2025 and around 40% by 2030. For Nestle Philippines, it is committed to a waste-free future by reducing its use of virgin plastics by 1,100 metric tons in 2021 and is continuously looking for more sustainable packaging through its research centers globally. CEMEX’s co-processing role in this partnership helps provide a sustainable way of processing plastic wastes using its cement kiln.
“Sustainability is essentially a collaborative endeavor and our partnership with Nestlé enables us to continue our deep commitment and dynamic role in taking action for the climate,” says Ignacio Mijares, CEMEX Holdings Philippines President and CEO. “We will continue to build a better future for all as we proactively implement initiatives aligned to our Future in Action program,” Mijares added.
Co-processing is a proven sustainable waste disposal solution in which segregated plastics are processed at extremely high temperatures to break materials down into simpler compounds. The non-recyclable wastes, such as plastics, are then converted into usable heat to help in the production of cement, lessening operational dependency on fuel and electricity use, and effectively contributing to a decrease in carbon emissions. The process is monitored in compliance with the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Apart from its partnership with Nestlé Philippines, CEMEX has actively been collaborating with various local government units, organizations and communities to further its proper waste management initiatives and its Future in Action targets.
