MAYOR-ELECT Nestor Archival proposes to connect with companies interested in collecting piles of plastic waste.
This plan was bared in an interview on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in time before the scheduled city-wide cleanup on Saturday, June 21.
Archival recommends to sell the collected plastics to factories that can turn them into fuel. This could be a solution to lessen the pile up of plastics in landfills, he said.
“We are currently searching for companies interested in purchasing our plastics. The plastics we collect will be bagged and then dried to prepare them for sale to interested buyers,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
The proposal reflects Archival’s long-standing advocacy for environmental innovation. As a city councilor, he continued pushing for waste segregation, sustainable transport and renewable energy adoption.
In line with his sustainability vision, Archival also emphasized the importance of public education in proper waste disposal.
“Atong tudloan ang mga taw nganong dili ilabay bisan asa ang mga basura (We need to educate people on why not to litter),” he said, stressing that addressing the city’s waste problem begins with instilling discipline and awareness among its citizens.
On Saturday, the city-wide cleanup initiative targeted eight crucial rivers across Cebu City: Bulacao River, Tagunol Creek, Kinalumsan River, Guadalupe River, Lahug River, Mahiga River, Butuanon River and Estero de Parian, according to Rachel Gibson of the vice mayor’s office. / JEANETTE ARINQUE, HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY INTERN