Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6208

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A significant portion of discarded paper products come from boxes used
as packaging for various goods sold in retail stores and groceries. Despite the
surge in environmentally conscious packaging, conventional box packaging for
goods remained a staple in the retail industry. Moreover, due to the clamor to
reduce plastic waste taking traction in the recent years, there had been a steady
increase in demand for paper bags and paper packaging in general. It is even
projected that the Philippines will surpass two million metric tons in its paper
and board demand.!

Unfortunately, this rise in demand is taking a toll on the environment.
Just in Metro Manila, about 17% of the garbage collected daily are paper and
paper products.? Our landfills are full of discarded paper and board.
Decomposing paper and board emits methane, and the chemicals used to the
produce the paper seeps into the soil and into the water underground.

Likewise, the paper production industry itself adversely impacts not only
land resources, but also the air through the emissions from the factories, and
water when solids and dissolved matter is discharged to the rivers and
waterways.’ The positive environmental impact that was anticipated from the
decrease in plastic use is offset by the higher demand for paper boxes and
packaging and the higher volume of discarded paper waste.

* Paper-Securing the future of Philippines Industries, http:/ /industry.gov.ph /industry/ paper/.

2 Inquirer.Net, Metro Manila produces a fourth of Philippine garbage, https:/ /newsinfo.inquirer.net/42317/metro-
manila-produces-a-fourth-of-philippine-garbage

2 World Atlas, What is the environmental impact of paper? https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-
environmental-impact-of-paper html


@Vauawne

Hence, to pave the way to more sustainable packaging practices, this bill
seeks to do away with outer box packaging that are unnecessary and maintained
mostly for aesthetics. Goods which do not require outer protective covers and
those which can be safely sold to consumers without the boxes shall be covered
by this law.

It is hoped that this bill will result in the significant reduction of paper
waste and in lessening the environmental impact of paper production.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6208

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT
REMOVING CARDBOARD WASTAGE IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF
CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “No Boxes Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State shall protect and advance
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. In line with this, the
State shall enact steps in order to regulate production of consumer products to
ensure that the country’s carbon footprint and the volume of waste it produces
is decreased significantly.

SECTION 3. Definitions. - As used in this Act:

a) Manufacturing Company is a commercial business that converts raw
materials or components into finished products for the consumption of
customers or disposition to a distributor;

b) National Waste Reduction Program refers to a set of programs and
policies to be developed by the government in order to reduce the
amount of waste products in the packaging, and distribution stages;

SECTION 4. Development of a National Waste Reduction Program. - The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), along with the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are hereby mandated to create plans
and guidelines for manufacturing companies to reduce waste in consumer
products such as cardboard boxes in the packaging and distribution of said


products. This National Waste Reduction Program shall be promulgated by the
DTI and DENR within 180 days from the effectivity of this Act.

‘The excess to be reduced from the production of consumer products shall
be guided by the following standards:

integrity; and
2) The necessity of the material/item in the storage of the item for
transportation and delivery purposes;

1) The bear of the material/item in the preservation of the product’s

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, and
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act,
are hereby amended or modified accordingly.

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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,