Czech Embassy in Manila holds conference to help Philippines solve waste crisis

Left: Czech Ambassador Jana Šedivá delivering her welcoming remarks

Right: Mr. Radek Hořeňovský from WASTen z.s. during his presentation in Makati City

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila partnered with the Czech waste management cluster WASTen z.s. in conducting its first conference on solid waste management titled “Clean Philippines: Solutions to the Waste Pollution” in the Philippines last 21 November 2022 at Makati Diamond Hotel in Makati City. 

WASTen z.s. is a solid waste management association in the Czech Republic with 30 members composed of different universities, private companies, and research and development organizations. It has the aim of assisting the government not only in the Czech Republic but also in other European countries in solving the waste crisis and supporting economic growth in the region. During the conference, members of WASTen z.s. introduced and discussed various Czech technologies and practices on solid waste management, particularly solutions for separating waste, converting waste to energy, and diverting plastic waste into concrete-like material. 

Presented were the benefits of the technologies and how they can assist the Philippines in overcoming its issues with solid waste management. A roundtable discussion was also held during the afternoon session, where a knowledge exchange between the Czech presenters and the Filipino audience took place. The conference was attended by Filipino solid waste management stakeholders, including Director William Cuñado of the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

Like the Philippines, the Czech Republic has been developing its management of solid wastes over the previous 20 to 30 years. H.E. Ambassador Jana Šedivá of the Czech Embassy in Manila has expressed the Czech Republic’s commitment to working closely with the Philippines in various areas, including finding solutions to the looming waste crisis in the country. 

The event in Makati City was the first among the series of conferences on solid waste management prepared by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila and WASTen z.s. The Czech delegation is expected to meet with local solid waste management stakeholders in Davao City on November 23 and in Cebu City on November 25.