Tarpaulin recycling project recognized

THE tarpaulin recycling program of Smart Communications Inc. was recently recognized as one of the best solid waste management practices by Philippine companies.

The telco’s solid waste management initiative called Post-Marketing Waste Management Program was included in the book “Zero Basura Olympics: A Race to Conquer Garbage,” after being named one of the winners in the Zero Basura Olympics (ZBO) for Business, a competition launched to recognize local companies with the most innovative practices in minimizing and eliminating waste.

“This book is full of great ideas not just from Smart but also from other awardees,” said Darwin Flores, Smart’s senior manager for Community Partnerships.

Smart’s section in the book shows how its post-marketing waste management program became not only an ecological project but also a livelihood solution.

The program involves the recycling of tarpaulin materials previously used for advertising.

Smart tapped the residents of its adopted Gawad Kalinga villages and trained them to produce bags out of tarpaulins. The production of tarp bags provided the residents’ additional income.

“Smart is contributing toward a greener economy and community through the recycled tarpaulins,” said Flores. “We are glad to be part of the ZBO book along with the other earth-friendly companies, and I’m sure we can also learn from their respective solid waste management initiatives,” he added.