On January 27, 2025, the Philippines senate filed Senate Bill No. 2957 Banning the Importation of Solid Waste. Currently, this new is still pending in the committee.
Background
The Philippines has faced repeated incidents of illegal waste imports from developed countries, prompting the need for legislative action. Notable cases include:
2020: The Bureau of Customs intercepted waste shipments from the U.S. (misdeclared as recyclables)1 and returned 2,676 metric tons of waste to South Korea.2
2019: The Philippines repatriated 1,500 tons of mixed waste to Canada after a six-year dispute.3
The bill aims to close legal gaps by complementing existing laws (e.g., RA 9003 and RA 6969) to fully prohibit solid waste imports.
The proposed ban
The bill prohibits the importation of solid waste into Philippine territory, including Special Economic Zones. "Solid waste" is defined under RA 9003 as:
Discarded household, commercial, institutional, and industrial waste.
Non-hazardous materials like street sweepings, construction debris, and agricultural waste.
The ban also extends to using, treating, or processing imported solid waste for any purpose.
Implementation and penalties
1. Enforcement
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) must implement strict border controls and monitor entry points to prevent illegal waste imports. Implementing rules must be drafted within 60 days of the law's effectivity.
2. Penalties
Individuals/Entities: 12–20 years imprisonment. Foreign offenders face deportation and entry bans.
Corporations: CEOs/managing officers face penalties, plus a ₱500,000 fine. Foreign entities lose business licenses, and officers are barred from entering the Philippines.
Government Officials: Automatic dismissal and permanent disqualification from public office.
3. Additional obligations
Offenders must return waste to its origin. If the importer is unknown, the carrier shall bear responsibility and pay ₱500,000 in damages. Futhermore, DENR may order polluters to clean up environmental damage.
