In two years, NLEX Corporation has been able to reduce about 350,000 pieces of plastic waste, as it continues to implement various waste management initiatives in line with its sustainability program.
The tollway company has also been successful in reducing its carbon footprint through the use of solar power panels and LED lights in its operations. It has so far reduced its carbon emissions by 4,989 tons, saving around 5.9 million kilowatt hours of electricity and 265,000 trees.
These environmental efforts are also in keeping with the entire Metro Pacific Group’s commitment to help the Philippines meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly UNSDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), UNSDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), UNSDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns), UNSDG 13 (Climate Action), and UNSDG 15 (Life on Land).
“As a responsible and ISO-certified organization, we want to ensure that we protect the environment not only for our communities, but for the next generation as well. We’d like to create a positive change by integrating sustainability in all aspects of our operations and making it a way of life,” said NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
Since 2018, NLEX has been harnessing solar power in Meycauayan southbound, Balintawak, Bocaue, Mexico, Angeles, San Fernando southbound, and Karuhatan toll plazas. It also incorporates sustainable energy in its roadway lighting systems, closed circuit television cameras, and variable message signs.
Based on 2021 data, the solar-powered toll plazas have generated carbon emission savings of 202,492 kilograms or the equivalent to 6,041 trees planted. The Bocaue Barrier gained the highest carbon emission savings, followed by Balintawak Toll Plaza and San Fernando Toll Plaza southbound, with carbon emission savings of 70,292 kilograms, 53,948 kilograms, and 36,197 kilograms, respectively.
To help save the environment, the company is boosting its sustainability push by limiting plastic usage and lessening plastic waste. It strictly prohibits single-use plastics in food deliveries, canteen operations, and other food services within its premises including corporate offices in Balintawak, Caloocan City; Guiguinto, Bulacan; and Mabalacat City, Pampanga as well as in corporate events and other activities. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, beverage bottles, and food service utensils such as plates, cups, lids, straws, and stirrers.
Employees are being encouraged to use reusable containers and utensils for their meals, while suppliers and service providers are also being persuaded to reduce plastic usage in their transactions with NLEX.
Aside from reducing its contribution to plastic pollution, the company is promoting proper waste segregation by providing labeled and color-coded trash bins as well as educating employees on garbage sorting, paper reuse, and recycling.
“These ongoing initiatives may be small scale, but we want everyone to be mindful of the negative effects of single-use plastics on the environment and hope to minimize the tons of plastic wastes that usually clog our waterways every day,” Bautista added.
The company has long recognized the importance of caring for the environment and
providing clean air on the road since it has been implementing programs such as the Tullahan River Cleanup and Greening the NLEX-SCTEX. To date, almost 200,000 trees and plants have been planted in the entire road network. These programs are being conducted in partnership with the company’s host communities, who have eventually become NLEX’s allies in building environment-friendly expressways and generating positive changes in the society.
NLEX Corporation is a unit of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).