SMC unit joins QC govt’s trash-to-cash program
SAN Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) packaging unit san Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp. (SMYPC) on Wednesday said it will support Quezon City’s trash-to-cash back program to help divert garbage away from landfills.
the company said it will partner with other waste solutions and technology groups to expand the program to Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Ramon s. Ang, san Miguel president and CEO, said the company joined the program to lend its expertise on circular economy—in particular, the recycling of glass, which had been the missing component of the ongoing initiative.
the trash-to-cash back program, implemented by the Quezon City government in partnership with waste management solutions firm Basic environmental systems and technologies inc. and technology partner BXTR A Philippines, utilizes the firms’ My Basurero app which accepts requests for waste collection, including recyclables.
it encourages citizens to be more conscientious about waste segregation. through the program, they are able to exchange their recyclables and single-use plastics for environmental points which they can use to pay for utility bills such as electricity, water, and internet services through the Bayad App; avail grocery items through the trash to Cashback Mart, and order food deliveries from the partner merchants.
“We are honored to be welcomed by the QC local government as a partner in this important and truly innovative project that teaches and incentivizes citizens to minimize their impact on the environment, and segregating their household wastes,” Ang said.
“i’m more than confident that SMYPC’S world-class expertise and long experience in zero-waste or circular economy practices will contribute significantly to the realization of our shared goal of addressing solid waste pollution, and promoting sustainability in our communities.”
While the program had been making headway in the recovery of recyclables and single-use plastics, it had not been able to include glass wastes in its collection as there was previously no partner that could process the materials properly and sustainably.
With the company now on board, SMYPC has committed to purchase all glass and cullet to be collected, which it will then recycle and make into new glass products. san Miguel’s glass business uses a significant percentage of recycled glass in its manufacturing line.
“Glass will not decompose if left in landfills, but it is highly recyclable and can actually be reused endlessly without any adverse effects on quality or safety. Producing glass products using recycled material also uses up significantly less energy. it’s a system that benefits all, and the only challenge is making sure we are able to collect as many used glass materials as we can,” Ang said.
Glass produced from recycled material also reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by as much as 50 percent, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
“this also aligns with our larger sustainability goals focused on, among other things, water sustainability, solid waste management. By helping encourage waste segregation and proper disposal, we will also minimize the garbage that ends up in our critical water sources and other bodies of water,” Ang said.