Sunday, March 29, 2009

AN ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH IN MANAGING A RECYCLING INDUSTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES



Ninety five percent of all solid waste is recyclable and a lot of these waste material, if handled properly and processed at a well managed recycling plant, can  be a lucrative source of profit and a means of deterring unemployment. Not only will it save virgin materials coming from environmental living flora and fauna, it also lessens the impact of the worsening condition of global warming. Recycling saves hectares of trees to be cut, it saves fuel and energy from extracting, processing and transporting virgin materials.


The recycling industry in the Philippines may be considered as a baby industry. As entrepreneurs, let us consider harnessing the positive inputs this situation can offer. Establish connections with entrepreneurs with the same logic in countries with a booming recycling industry, get recyclables-reusable materials at a very cheap price from countries that have problems with their solid waste, ship them to the ports of the Philippines where recycling plants awaits there processing and sorting.
Before entering into this field of industry, the would be entrepreneur should apply the basic entrepreneurial approach of surveying the area before establishing the recycling plant. An entrepreneur sees to it that government regulations both local and international should not be violated. He conducts the SPENT analysis - Social, Political, Environment, Natural Resources and
Technology approach. He identifies it's S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and formulate strategies both for its internal and external analysis. He then chooses the best strategy and implements it for the immediate and functional operation of his planned venture.

Recycling is an industry that would be in demand in the next generations to come. It is being practiced in countries in Asia, the US and the European Union. The Philippines is not way behind when it comes to this kind of industry. What the Philippine government should do is to initiate and fund/grant would be entrepreneurs that would like to venture into this kind of endeavor.

Applying the essence of Republic act 9003, the government in cooperation with entrepreneurs and LGU's should think of ways that would enhance the establishment of more recycling industries within the boundaries of the Philippines. Alongside international sets of standards, pollution prevention and proper inspection of imported junks and solid wastes imported to the Philippines. Enhance recycling plants in the country and acquire both expertise and equiptments from abroad, envisioning within the company an entrepreneurial approach. Implementing such an approach would gear up this industry into a booming, in demand, job generating endeavor that would help in the economic upheaval of our nation.

It will be elections for the Philippines this coming 2010, and it would be proper for a third world country to consider a new set of government officials that would cater to the vision of current world leaders regarding trade and treatment of solid waste.


The recycling industry should be of main concern by aspiring politicians who aims to make good in their campaign trail towards an electorate victory. In fact, the Filipino electorate should mandate responsible individuals that would initiate and fight for a recycling industry right.




The recycling industry offers a variety of benefits that would definitely cater to millions of Filipinos through taxable economic activities during its operation. It will absolutely generate thousands of jobs that would deter the rise in local recession. Eradicate red tape and corruption within the system. Impose stiffer penalties regarding unwanted mismanagement that leads to the deterioration of the industry. Deploy people with accountabilities within sensitive positions that will lead towards industry verticalization and  diversification. Employ people having an intense urge for an entrepreneurial approach in running the industry. Tap the youth in filling up these positions, let them realize it’s their future being saved and served right now. Allow freedom of information on all laws, technology and details regarding environmental issues within the community.


As a member of the United Nations, the Philippines should try establishing connections with top recycling industries from existing and successful recycling companies from countries who practice a functional system of recycling.
Harness their knowledge and technology and ask for grants and funding from international financial institutions, such as the IMF, or better yet incorporate the bulky Pork Barrels of our rich congressmen and senators in establishing a succesful recycling plant.
Send deserving people to train in world recognized recycling institutions. Acquire state of the art machineries and equipment that would process solid waste into a reliable source of raw material. Practice Pollution Prevention methods while undergoing operations.


Establish recycling plants near ports for an easier access of solid waste raw material going in and out of Philippine shores. Practice Total Quality Management. Apply the principles of Six Sigma Approach in maintaining the smooth running condition and operation of the plant, spend for people who have to go acquire such an expensive, yet effective way of having a synergistic enterprise, having an almost zero defect operation.

The recycling industry is bound to be a must for every country to have, it is definitely indispensable. Entrepreneurs of today should try considering investing in this baby industry that has definitely a lot of purpose in maintaining the balance in the current global situation with regards to economy and the environment. It is just a matter of international relations through proper governance, community participation and mandate, environmental awareness and an intensified entrepreneurial approach for a recycling industry to function well. It might have a hard time coping up with its purposes at its conception, but the recycling industry has probable prospects of attaining success in these times of global change for a better tomorrow.
World population is increasing. That proportionately increases the volume of solid
waste produced every minute. The earth is sick, and it needs immediate attention. Our children  and our generations to come will suffer from our faults, if we do not act fast. Let us realize the importance of a neglected industry. The recycling inAdd Imagedustry should be supported by all citizens. Supported by the state by implementing laws to its maximum and backing entrepreneurs using entrepreneurial strategies and operations. It is an industry that will inject the earth with its needed cure of ridding cancer brought about by global warming.
* This article is an excerpt from my reasearch study submitted to Professor Roberto Pidal of the Faculty of the College of Accountancy and Commerce, Entrepreneurship 14 (International Marketing).

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

hoping this problem wont worsen, indeed the recycling industry is one of the major contributory factory in detering global warming!!