P & G and 32 Filipino consumers negotiate for plastic reduction, recycle labels improvement
By: C-Help Team
After one year, it seems that the negotiation between the global fast moving consumer goods company Procter and Gamble (P & G) and 32 Filipino consumers represented by their lawyers from the Community Legal Help and Public Interest Centre, is bearing fruit. “We hope to agree a process this year to tackle in more detail the consumers’ demands for plastic reduction, other sustainable modes of product delivery, and improving recycling labels” says Veronica Cabe, one of the 32 Filipino consumers.
Looking back, in November 2022, a group of consumers and fisherfolks filed a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) against seven companies namely Coca-Cola Inc., PepsiCo Inc., Nestle, Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive, Universal Robina Corp. (URC), and Procter and Gamble (P&G). These companies were found to be the biggest plastic contributors in the world and in the Philippines consistently from 2019 to 2022 based on waste brand audit reports of the Break Free from Plastic Movement. Contending that the plastic packaging employed by the respondents poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment, petitioners prayed that respondents reduce their plastic packaging and correct, remove, and replace the misleading words and symbols of recyclability claim in their plastic packaging. Notably, the respondents have neglected to provide any warning regarding this potential danger. Instead, their labels, websites, and media statements assert, albeit falsely, that their plastic packaging is recyclable—a misleading advertisement. Such practices are deemed to be in violation of consumer rights.
Of the seven respondents, P&G offered to explore the possibility of a reasonable settlement with the petitioners. The case against the six companies is pending on appeal at the DTI. Last year, the petitioners and P&G engaged in a series of online and in-person meetings to deliberate and refine the terms of the mediation agreement.
The parties recently indicated that they are nearing an agreement.
Socially responsible, consumer-oriented companies would indeed welcome complaints like this consumer complaint against plastic and they would negotiate in good faith for the sake of consumers’ welfare. P&G by offering to negotiate and settle seems to have started in right footing. Let’s hope P&G is one of those responsible companies that will be true to its word and will see through to the end the negotiation with the Filipino consumers.