MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City government has launched a waste segregation scheme that could encourage students to practice recycling in school and at home.

The “Sinop Bulasi sa Eskwela” project, and three private sector partners, will tap seven public schools as pilot sites.

Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department head Frederika Rentoy said they wanted to teach students to practice solid waste management.

“Students can bring recyclable materials like plastic bottles, cans and used paper in exchange for school supplies like new pens and paper, and groceries,” she said.

The EPWMD, which is implementing the program, identified the pilot sites as Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, Payatas Elementary School, Lagro Elementary School, Lagro High School, Ernesto Rondon High School, Commonwealth High School and Kalantiaw Elementary School.

Quezon City generates around 1,600 tons of solid waste every day. Some 39 percent of the waste is considered recyclable.

For the project, the city government is working closely with the Rotary Club of Quezon City that recently conducted a solid waste management seminar for students of the pilot schools.

Rentoy said the IPM Group of Companies, a management and consulting firm, and Gold Yard Trading, a recycling company, had expressed interest in helping implement the project.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said that although the city government has come a long way in waste management and proper disposal, there was more to be done.

Earlier, city councilor Dorothy Delarmente proposed an ordinance giving a P500,000 incentive to eco-friendly schools that practice solid waste management.