La Union residents trade recyclable waste for food

THE Province of La Union amplified its initiative in promoting responsible waste management and environmental sustainability by implementing a program that allows residents to exchange recyclable wastes with canned goods.

Held recently at the La Union Convention Center, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-Enro) spearheaded the “Trash to Goods Program” in partnership with Hope Business for Good and Century Tuna.

The program aims to promote circular economy principles by converting plastic waste into valuable resources, preventing it from becoming environmental pollution.

Launched in April 2023, this initiative allows residents to exchange collected plastic waste such as plastic bottles, tarpaulins, and styrofoams, among others, with the choice of either canned goods, incentivized by weight.

"This program ensures that waste materials are reintegrated into the economy instead of being discarded, ensuring sustainability and solid waste reduction," Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David said. “This also proves the strength and unity of our responsible constituents towards the preservation of the environment,” she added.

A total of 8.4232 metric tons of plastic waste were collected from the 15 local government units (LGUs) that supported the initiative. The collection consisted of 4.48 metric tons of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastics and 3.9431 metric tons of mixed plastics. Collected plastic wastes were exchanged into over 175 boxes of canned goods.

In addition, representatives from organizations such as Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc., Hotel and Restaurant Associations, and the Night Market Association participated in the program.

“This program is one of our initiatives to strengthen our proper waste management in the province and also our way of encouraging our constituents to reduce their plastic consumption and practice proper trash segregation,” PG-Enro head Annalyn Rosario-Valdez said.

An information education campaign was also held to educate tourism stakeholders on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Plastic Code of La Union, and the process of conducting a Plastic Brand Audit.

The program serves as a strategic intervention of the Provincial Government to support the implementation and preservation of the province’s 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan.

The collected recyclable plastic wastes will be delivered to accredited recycling centers. (PR)