Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) has received a Special Citation for Obliged Enterprises during the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) 2026 Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Recognition Program: Celebrating Achievements and Milestones. The recognition highlights APC’s continued commitment to sustainability and responsible environmental practices in the Philippines.
The award acknowledges the company’s initiatives that support plastic waste reduction and environmental protection. Among these initiatives is APC’s SariCycle program, a community-driven plastic waste collection effort designed to encourage participation from local micro-entrepreneurs.
SariCycle Program Empowers Communities to Reduce Plastic Waste
At the center of APC’s sustainability efforts is the SariCycle program, an innovative and flexible plastic waste collection initiative that engages communities in environmental action. The program empowers local micro-entrepreneurs, including Sari-Sari store owners, to take an active role in addressing plastic waste and pollution in their communities.
Through the SariCycle program, small businesses are encouraged to become agents of environmental change. By participating in the initiative, these entrepreneurs help collect plastic waste and contribute to building a more organized and efficient recycling system.
The program supports recycling efforts by ensuring that collected materials are clean, sorted, and more suitable for processing. This improves the quality of feedstock that recycling centers receive, helping strengthen the overall recycling ecosystem.
By involving community members and small business owners, APC creates opportunities for grassroots participation in sustainability efforts. The program also demonstrates how community involvement can play an important role in addressing environmental challenges.
Collaboration with Environmental Partners
To support and expand the SariCycle program, APC works closely with accredited partners that share its commitment to sustainability. These partners include Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST) and the Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (QC CCESD).
Through these partnerships, APC continues to deliver initiatives that focus on collaboration and inclusivity. The company’s approach highlights the importance of working with local organizations and government institutions to create meaningful environmental impact.
The collaboration ensures that waste collection, sorting, and recycling processes are properly supported by experienced organizations. By working with established partners, APC strengthens the effectiveness of the SariCycle program and helps ensure that collected plastic waste is processed responsibly.
These partnerships also demonstrate how cooperation between private companies, government agencies, and environmental organizations can contribute to sustainable waste management practices.
DENR Recognition Highlights Commitment to Sustainability
As a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, APC views the recognition from the DENR as validation of its efforts to integrate sustainability into its operations. The company continues to prioritize environmental responsibility while encouraging communities to participate in sustainable practices.
The recognition reflects APC’s strategy of embedding sustainability into its core operations. By involving communities and small businesses, the company promotes shared responsibility in addressing environmental concerns.
The award also reinforces the idea that sustainability is most effective when businesses and communities work together. Through collaborative initiatives such as the SariCycle program, APC demonstrates that environmental progress can be achieved through collective effort.
Supporting APC’s 2030 Sustainability Roadmap
The recognition also strengthens APC’s commitment to its 2030 Roadmap. This roadmap outlines the company’s goal of significantly reducing its environmental impact while contributing to better health outcomes for people.
Under this roadmap, APC aims to reduce its environmental impact by 50 percent while extending one billion people’s healthy life expectancy. These goals reflect the company’s broader vision of combining sustainability with health and well-being.
The roadmap guides APC’s initiatives in environmental management, resource efficiency, and community engagement. Programs such as SariCycle play a key role in supporting these sustainability objectives.
Promoting Responsible Business Practices
Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, APC believes that sustainability initiatives help create healthier environments, empower micro-entrepreneurs, and strengthen local economies.
The company continues to promote responsible business practices that support environmental protection and community development. By encouraging small businesses to participate in waste management initiatives, APC helps create opportunities for local communities to take part in sustainability efforts.
Through its programs and partnerships, APC sets an example for responsible corporate leadership in the Philippines. The company demonstrates that businesses can contribute to national progress while maintaining strong environmental commitments.
The recognition from the DENR serves as a reminder that when companies and communities work together, sustainability becomes a shared achievement that benefits both people and the environment.
