CEBU, Philippines — Government, business, and development leaders recently convened in Cebu for the ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026, a regional forum focused on practical approaches to environmental and economic challenges across Southeast Asia.
The summit was organized by the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), in partnership with the Philippines’ role as ASEAN Chair, and brought together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss policy alignment, implementation realities, and investment conditions.
[L-R] Rob Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Circulate Capital; Hon. Jonas Leones, Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Antonio “Tony” Del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines; Dr. RenĂ© van Berkel, Co-Convenor of the ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance; and Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, during the panel discussion at the summit.
Coca-Cola Philippines participated as a sponsor and speaker in the flagship session, “Making Circularity Work: Scaling Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in ASEAN.” Discussions focused on how EPR frameworks can move from policy design to consistent execution on the ground.
As a total beverage company, Coca-Cola shared several considerations for effective EPR systems and to maximize compliance models, including: clear and enforceable regulatory EPR system design; alignment with local collection and recycling infrastructure; inclusion of informal waste workers within recycling value chain and recovery systems; and stronger incentives that support recycled material use and infrastructure investment across the region.
Antonio “Tony” Del Rosario, president of Coca-Cola Philippines, joined fellow panelists from government, ASEAN institutions, and civil society to discuss implementation challenges and lessons from early-stage EPR markets.
Antonio “Tony” Del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines, shares Coca-Cola’s perspectives on effective EPR implementation.
“EPR systems work best when design, enforcement, and on-the-ground realities are aligned,” Del Rosario said. “That requires coordination across government, industry, and waste management stakeholders.”
Discussions throughout the summit similarly underscored that successful EPR systems require coordinated action across governments, businesses, financial institutions, waste management stakeholders, and communities. Speakers also highlighted the importance of ensuring that frameworks remain practical and locally relevant, recognizing the differing levels of infrastructure and market maturity across ASEAN economies.
Coca-Cola Philippines referenced examples from its local experience supporting collection and recycling efforts locally. These include Tapon to Ipon, a collection initiative now operating through more than 6,000 community drop-off points nationwide, and partnerships focused on waste recovery and recycling infrastructure. The company also noted the role of its philanthropic arm, the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, in supporting programs that engage informal waste workers in the recycling value chain.
The company also cited PETValue Philippines, the country’s first bottle-to-bottle PET recycling facility established through a joint venture between Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines and Indorama Ventures, as an example of private sector investment contributing to domestic recycling capacity.
Speakers across the summit emphasized that EPR outcomes depend on consistent implementation, investment-enabling policies, political stability, knowledge-sharing and collaboration across markets, particularly given differences in infrastructure maturity across ASEAN economies.
Coca-Cola Philippines said it will continue to engage with government, industry peers, and community partners as EPR frameworks evolve across Southeast Asia.
Learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability initiatives at Coca-Cola Philippines Sustainability.
