Quezon City’s ‘Trash-to-Cashback’ project gets SMC boost; NCR expansion eyed

 Through San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp., the Quezon City local government has added glass to the list of recyclables it collects via its Trash-to-Cashback initiative. QC Mayor Joy Belmonte (4th from left) and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto (3rd from left) led a recent inspection of the collection kiosk at QC Hall, together with representatives of project partners.

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City’s Trash-to-Cashback program, an initiative that converts collected recyclables and single-use plastics into “environmental points,” may soon be expanded in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

The program, launched by the Quezon City local government in March 2021, allows citizens to pay for their utility bills using their earned “environmental points.”

San Miguel Corporation (SMC)’s packaging unit San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation (SMYPC) recently committed to boost the initiative — particularly in recycling glass, which was previously not covered under the program since it lacked partners capable of sustainably processing the glass wastes.

SMYPC will now purchase all glass and cullet collected from the program participants, with the objective of recycling it into new glass products.

“We are honored to be welcomed by the QC local government as a partner in this important and truly innovative project that teaches and incentivizes citizens to minimize their impact on the environment, and segregating their household wastes,” SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added that SMYPC, along with the other program partners, are currently pursuing discussions with other local government units in Metro Manila for the implementation of the environmental initiative “very soon.”

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