United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories - Industrial Waste Exchange Programme

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Industrial Waste Exchange Programme

Location The Philippines (mainly in Metro Manila).

Responsible organization Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE).

Description The project is based on the concept that wastes generated by one company can still be useful for another. For example, the shrimp heads generated as wastes by a shrimp exporter can still be used as raw material by an animal feed milling company.
The project has developed a database of materials available and materials wanted with corresponding specifications and contact details. Participating companies may choose to be listed for a fee in the bimonthly magazine Business and Environment which is circulated among corporate chief executives and pollution control officers.
Buyers and sellers are matched sometimes through the brokering efforts of PBE staff but more often through direct contacts by listed companies.

Issues addressed
Optimimal use of natural resources
Waste minimization
Pollution prevention.

Objectives
Minimize waste or materials
Minimize pollution of rivers and landfills
Increase environmental awareness by industrial sector.

Results achieved Over 500 participating companies Some successful exchanges.

Lessons learned This initiative needs time and personal follow-up. There is a great need for consolidators who will collect one particular type of waste from various companies to build up a sizeable inventory before another company will find it worthwhile to buy it.

Financing A pilot system was first set up under a grant from the International Development and Research Center of Canada. PBE then took over and disseminated it through a magazine with funding from USAID. There are now signs of it becoming self-sustainable because of revenues derived from listing fees and advertising fees for the magazine.

Contact Ms. Mina Mercado, Philippine Business for the Environment G/F DAP Bldg. - San Miguel Ave. - Pasig Metro Manila Tel: (63-2) 635 3670 Fax: (63-2) 631-5714

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Industrial Waste Exchange Programme
	Location	The Philippines (mainly in Metro Manila).
	Responsible organization	Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE).
	Description	The project is based on the concept that wastes generated by one company can still be useful for another. For example, the shrimp heads generated as wastes by a shrimp exporter can still be used as raw material by an animal feed milling company. The project has developed a database of materials available and materials wanted with corresponding specifications and contact details. Participating companies may choose to be listed for a fee in the bimonthly magazine Business and Environment which is circulated among corporate chief executives and pollution control officers. Buyers and sellers are matched sometimes through the brokering efforts of PBE staff but more often through direct contacts by listed companies.
	Issues addressed	Optimimal use of natural resources Waste minimization Pollution prevention.
	Objectives	Minimize waste or materials Minimize pollution of rivers and landfills Increase environmental awareness by industrial sector.
	Results achieved	Over 500 participating companies Some successful exchanges.
	Lessons learned	This initiative needs time and personal follow-up. There is a great need for consolidators who will collect one particular type of waste from various companies to build up a sizeable inventory before another company will find it worthwhile to buy it.
	Financing	A pilot system was first set up under a grant from the International Development and Research Center of Canada. PBE then took over and disseminated it through a magazine with funding from USAID. There are now signs of it becoming self-sustainable because of revenues derived from listing fees and advertising fees for the magazine.
	Contact	Ms. Mina Mercado, Philippine Business for the Environment G/F DAP Bldg. - San Miguel Ave. - Pasig Metro Manila Tel: (63-2) 635 3670 Fax: (63-2) 631-5714