Makati City, 30 January 2026: ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris was honoured with the EPR Partners Leadership Award, presented by the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in recognition of the Centre’s contributions to advancing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the Philippines.

The award was conferred during the Zero to Nature Recognition Awards ceremony, organised by DENR and held at the New World Hotel, Makati City. Convened in conjunction with International Zero Waste Month, the event was supported by the Philippine Association for Recycling and Material Sustainability (PARMS) and celebrated progress achieved under the EPR Act (Republic Act No. 11898).

Awards were presented across three categories:

• Special Citation for Obliged Enterprises
• Special Citation for Waste Diverters
• EPR Partners Leadership Award

ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre received the EPR Partners Leadership Award for its role in shaping national and multi-sector EPR strategies, convening public and private stakeholders, and advancing research and policy on EPR for plastics.

The award was accepted on behalf of ERIA by Mr Reo Kawamura, Director for Environmental Policy and Head of ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris.

‘We appreciate this recognition from the current ASEAN Chair, which motivates us to further contribute to advancing plastic circularity in ASEAN, ’ Mr Kawamura said.

The event brought together EPR stakeholders from across the Philippines and featured a keynote address by Atty. Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Secretary of DENR, alongside remarks from Atty. Jonas R. Leones, Undersecretary for Policy at DENR, and Engr. Jesus G. Reyes, President of PARMS.