Trash trading project launched

The Quezon City local government, through its Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD), has launched a plastic waste trading program where residents can exchange their recyclables into groceries.

“Trash to Cashback” is the city’s initiative, in partnership with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies that trades recyclables into environmental points (EP), which in turn can be exchanged for basic commodities, such as rice, eggs and vegetables.

“The program’s main objective is to promote to our QCitizens the importance of recycling and proper waste segregation. A ‘My Basurero Eco-Community’ kiosk has been set up at the QC Hall Risen Garden where employees can exchange their recyclable waste, such as plastic, paper and metal, to environmental points, which can also be traded into groceries,” a city official said.

The project will soon be rolled out in barangays.

Interested traders have to create and register their email addresses to BeepXTRA Philippines, BEST’s Cashback Loyalty Platform partner, to earn EP.

Aside from groceries, EP can also be used in bXTRA food deliveries.

A complete list of partner stores and establishments can be accessed through bXTRA.com.ph and bXTRAoutlet.delivery.

Andrea A. Villaroman, EPWMD head, said they are currently in talks with the city’s Small Business Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office for the registration of micro and small businesses as partner merchants of bXTRA.

“If we have more partner merchants where residents can exchange their EP, we will encourage them to replace their recyclable waste,” Villaroman explained.

The program is part of the city’s campaign to reduce plastic waste, following the implementation of the ban on plastic bags this month. Single-use plastics and utensils will also be prohibited starting 1 July 2021.