Cover (Photo by mali maeder/Pexels.com)
(Photo by mali maeder/Pexels.com)
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Local governments have gone a long way in building a sustainable future
Sustainability has been a hot topic lately, and our local governments have been keeping up. From turning waste into monetary incentives to reverse vending machines and even basketball hoops on garbage bins, the LGUs have myriad programs to ensure a green future.
Plastic waste has always been seen as nothing more than garbage. But our local governments have shown us that there is value in them when you follow segregation and recycling practices. The incentives may be the driving factor, but this is a step toward instilling a strong environment-friendly culture into our people.
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San Juan City
Above (Photo: CENRO San Juan City/Facebook)
(Photo: CENRO San Juan City/Facebook)
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San Juan City’s programs aim to change its people’s mindset. By giving incentives to those who segregate through their Aling Tindera program, citizens can transform their waste into groceries. The LGU is also pilot testing their reverse vending machines, where people can insert used PET bottles to get rewarded with vouchers that are as good as cash.
San Juan’s city projects don’t stop at plastic. They ensure that their programs cater to different types of waste to make a truly environmentally friendly city.
Quezon City
Above Trash to Cashback Popup Event QC (Photo: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department/Facebook)
Trash to Cashback Popup Event QC (Photo: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department/Facebook)
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Quezon City’s Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) looks at the plastic waste reduction in light of the circular economy. Instead of disposing of plastics properly, they plan on reusing and recycling them.
Their plastic bag project started with a two peso fine for every plastic bag used in groceries to promote the usage of reusable bags. When people got comfortable with that idea, they banned plastic bags altogether.
In 2021, they started their “Trash to Cashback” program. CCESD would do rounds in barangays and collect waste through their Pop-up events. Citizens would then get awarded points which can be used to buy groceries, get food delivered, pay their utility bills, and even airfare if they wish to travel! The program was so successful that barangays started following in their footsteps and created their internal trash-to-cashback projects.
Pasig City
Above (Photo: Community Development Association/Facebook)
(Photo: Community Development Association/Facebook)
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In 2022, the MMDA partnered with Pasig City to create the “May Pera sa Basura” program in Barangay Kalawaan. They invite their citizens to practice proper segregation and recycling. Single-use plastics like sachets, plastic bags, and bottles can be taken to the barangay hall in exchange for money. The materials are then shredded and turned into pellets, then melted and bound together to be disposed of properly or recycled.
On top of this, the city is also strictly enforcing its anti-smoke belching act to provide clean air for its citizens. With over 500 trained Green Police Volunteers, they have successfully employed an integrated, holistic, and proactive approach to addressing air, odour, water, and land pollution.
Parañaque City
Above CORA Eco-Ikot Center (Photo: Eco-Ikot Center/Facebook)
CORA Eco-Ikot Center (Photo: Eco-Ikot Center/Facebook)
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To help communities prevent plastic waste from building up in the environment, Parañaque City has partnered with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA) to launch the CORA Eco-Ikot Center.
With an inclusive and holistic approach to exchanging waste for incentives, Parañaque citizens can turn their segregated recyclables into points that can be redeemed for vegetables, rice, and cash.
Pasay City
Above Shoot for a Cause (Photo: Pasay City PIO/Facebook)
Shoot for a Cause (Photo: Pasay City PIO/Facebook)
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Basketball is our country’s favourite sport, and Pasay City leverages that love to entice its residents to segregate their trash correctly. The “Shoot for a Cause” project has the LGU installing basketball rings with catching nets to garbage cans around barangays so that people can replicate the joy of shooting hoops while participating in proper recycling practices.
The trash collected can then be sold to junk shops to get extra funds to support the barangay.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
