Recyclables for cash? Go to ‘RCEs’

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched a series of one-day collection and buying of recyclable materials in four pilot areas in the country.

Dubbed as Recyclables Collection Event (RCE), the DENR, in partnership with the Philippine Business for Environment, hopes to promote year-round recycling, waste segregation and reduction, and materials recovery to address the problem on garbage.

"We are also encouraging the participation of communities, industrial waste operators, industrial and business establishments and recyclers in closing the garbage loop so that the solid waste and other recyclables generated from our households don’t have to find their way to sanitary landfills. Instead, these will be used and re-used for other purposes," Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes said.

The first RCE was held at SM City Davao last June 10. The next RCEs will be held in Cebu City on June 16, Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet on June 23, and at the Quezon City Memorial Circle in Quezon City on June 30.

During the RCE, recyclables such as used paper and carton, scrap glass, used tires, aluminum cans, used lead batteries, junk electronics and electrical equipment, used printer ink and toner cartridges, used PET bottles and other plastic items can be redeemed for cash at the designated buying stations.

The participating recyclers include San Miguel Corp., Trust International Paper Corp., HMR Envirocycle, Philippine Recyclers Inc., Manila Scrap, YGARC Trading Corp., Polystyrene Packaging Council of the Philippines, Clean Leaf Industrial Sales, Tetra Pak Philippines, Kilos Foundation, and Polytrader Plastic Products.