CEMEX wins second DENR-EMB Award for waste management programs
As testament to its commitment to protect and conserve the environment, leading cement manufacturer CEMEX Holdings Philippines recently won its second Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Award for its waste management solutions and for the TSeK or Tamang Segregasyon Para Sa Kalikasan program services that are being offered to communities across the CALABARZON region.
CEMEX was lauded under the Best Available Practice and Best Environmental Technology categories conferred during the 4th Annual Environmental Summit themed, “Beat Air Pollution: Managing Solid Waste towards a Pollution-Free Environment,” held at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City. The company first earned the DENR-EMB recognition in 2017 for its commitment as donor partner to the government’s Adopt-a-River Program.
Over 400 participants witnessed the 2019 awarding ceremonies led by DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, EMB Section Chief Corazon Gasapos, EMB Regional Director Noemi Paranada, and EMB Assistant Director Engr. Vizminda Osorio.
“It is an honour to be recognized for making a positive impact to the environment, particularly through promoting proper waste management at the community level. Protecting the environment is an advocacy we’d like to strengthen because it is key to sustainable development. We hope to encourage more and more people to take the simple yet important steps that can really make a big difference, such as segregating wastes,” noted Chito Maniago, Director for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at CEMEX Philippines and Executive Director of CEMEX Philippines Foundation, Inc.
CEMEX’s waste management program at its facilities involves the method of co-processing, which is a way of recovering or reusing waste materials to manufacture cement. Co-processing is considered to be safer for the environment and more cost-efficient than other waste treatment processes. This method reduces solid waste and decreases carbon emission because it lessens the use of fossil fuels from cement kilns.
The TSeK program, on the other hand, is an initiative driven by a multi-stakeholder collaboration to promote waste segregation, education on proper waste disposal, and recycling of dry plastics through seminars and information campaigns. The TSeK program is currently being implemented in the province of Rizal where community residents are encouraged to surrender properly segregated wastes to their municipality. CEMEX only accepts segregated residual plastic wastes listed as acceptable wastes under the DENR Administrative Order 2010-03.
The TSeK initiative aims to educate and motivate residents to become more mindful about their surroundings and take responsibility in keeping their community clean. CEMEX continues the TSeK program by partnering with other local government units in the CALABARZON region to boost the sustainability of the program among households.
Prioritizing sustainable operations and waste management, as well as helping communities do the same is at the core of CEMEX Holdings Philippines’ “Build the Nation Together” umbrella Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that is dedicated to uplift lives by promoting education, skills and livelihood development, volunteerism, sustainable partnerships, building communities, arts and culture, and a safe and healthy citizenry.
CEMEX has a rich history of improving the welfare of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future in more than 50 countries worldwide. In the Philippines, CEMEX subsidiaries Apo Cement Corporation in Cebu and Solid Cement Corporation in Rizal produce and market a broad product mix of building solutions. These cement manufacturing plants carry the well-established cement brands Apo and Rizal. More information is available at www.cemexholdingsphilippines.com.
