Ajuy turns 700 kg plastic waste into school chairs

ILOILO CITY — About 700 kilograms of plastic waste have been turned into 35 school chairs for Ajuy National Comprehensive High School through a recycling initiative involving government and private-sector partners.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau Region 6, the Ajuy municipal government, Subay Marketing, and Angelina Bakeshop partnered on the initiative, which aims to divert plastic waste from landfills and waterways while providing functional furniture for students.

Ajuy National Comprehensive High School formally received the 35 durable chairs made entirely from upcycled plastic on July 23, marking EMB Region 6’s third successful plastic chair turnover campaign in Western Visayas.

Each chair requires about 20 kilograms of plastic waste to manufacture, bringing the total amount of plastic diverted through the 35-chair donation to 700 kilograms.

The initiative was spearheaded through Subay Marketing’s Extended Producer Responsibility Clean Environment Program under the campaign tagline “Basura mo, Upuan sa Pagtupad ng Pangarap Ko.”

The turnover also included the signing of a memorandum of agreement aimed at strengthening multisectoral cooperation in reducing plastic pollution in the region.

The initiative supports the broader goals of the Philippines’ Extended Producer Responsibility framework, which promotes the recovery, recycling, and proper management of plastic packaging waste.

Ajuy National Comprehensive High School Principal III Marilyn Dolendo expressed appreciation for the initiative and its contribution to creating a more conducive learning environment for students.

Ajuy Mayor Loida J. Espinosa also thanked the participating organizations for supporting both education and environmental sustainability.

“This is a shared commitment of EMB Region VI, LGU Ajuy, Subay Marketing and Angelina Bakeshop para sa pag-iskwela sang mga estudyante (for the student’s education),” Espinosa said.

Subay Marketing’s Capt. Jonathan Villaflor discussed the importance of modern recycling solutions and highlighted how producer responsibility initiatives can help remove plastic waste from waterways and landfills.

Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Diona D. Silvido and EMB Region 6 Solid Waste Management Section Chief Nidalyn P. Agsaluna concluded the activity by reaffirming continued coordination between the Ajuy municipal government and EMB Region 6.

They emphasized that sustained collaboration among government agencies, businesses, schools, and communities is essential to protecting the environment while supporting education through sustainable initiatives.