Iloilo City Trash-to-Cash drive diverts 500kg plastic

By Mariela Angella Oladive

A total of 514 kilos of plastic bottles were collected in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro, on Sept. 19 as the Iloilo City Government intensified its barangay-based Trash-to-Cash and Eco-Care initiatives.

The collection drive was led by the City General Services Office in partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

“Almost all the materials collected were PET bottles,” said GSO head Engr. Neil Ravena.

“Through our partners, these bottles are classified and sold to consolidators who then deliver them to recycling companies,” he added.

Initially held in plazas before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trash-to-Cash program has been revived and brought down to the barangay level to encourage greater household participation.

Ravena emphasized that the success of the program depends on consistent waste segregation at the household level.

“We strongly encourage segregation,” he said.

“If recyclables are separated early on, we can keep them out of the waste stream and divert them instead of sending everything to the sanitary landfill.”

The Jaro collection was part of a week-long rollout that also included barangays in Calumpang and the Arevalo district.