Conservation and Recycling

At this point when the whole world is undergoing a seismic shift in political and trade relations, and it is also becoming clear where remaining natural resources are, countries like the Philippines should wake up and do an honest assessment of what strengths and resources we have in comparison to our global trading partners.

- MARIANNE GO

Doing so is an absolute must so that our government can seriously address the need to conserve and recycle whatever remaining resources we have.

Even in the past, scrap metal has been a windfall for scrap dealers – and I know of a few who have made a fortune and even funded the education of their children who were able to build a better life. Remaining local steel manufacturers also depend on scrap metal as their alternative raw material due to the lack of locally produced iron ore, a resource that we, as a country, have lacked the foresight to capitalize on, hence, our lack of a strong steel industry.

This topic came to mind upon reading the recent endorsement by Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) of Standard Insurance Co. Inc. as the second model End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) dismantling facility in the Philippines included in the 'Toyota Global 100 Dismantlers Project'.

According to a press release of TMP, Standard Insurance's ELV dismantling operations primarily handle vehicles insured under its portfolio, with an average of 850 vehicles dismantled annually at the company's technical and training center in Naic, Cavite. The facility spans approximately 8,840 square meters and has a dismantling capacity of up to six units per day. Backed by an investment of P17.8 million, the initiative represents a major private sector involvement in appropriate vehicle life cycle management and circular economy.