The City of Bago in Negros Occidental launched a community-based waste-to-cash program to reduce plastic waste as part of its activities for the observance of Environment Month this June.
Vice Mayor Ramon Torres said Wednesday that the launch of the “Aling Tindera Plastic Waste to Cash” in Barangays Ma-ao and Poblacion, in partnership with Friends of Hope Inc. and Germany-based development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, on Tuesday would help address plastic pollution.
“It is important to work hand-in-hand in the protection and conservation of the environment through a program such as this,” Torres said in a statement.
The two “Aling Tindera” waste collection stations are near the expanded sanitary landfill site in Sitio Pandan in Barangay Ma-ao and beside the fish port at the Bantayan Park in Barangay Poblacion.
City Environment Management Office head Vicente Mesias said the four-hectare expansion area could still accommodate more waste generated in the city.
However, through the program, they are looking at reducing waste generation and the volume of garbage disposal at the sanitary landfill.
“We are eyeing to open more ‘Aling Tindera’ stations. The project will surely have positive social and environmental impacts on the community,” he added.
Aling Tindera program coordinator Mia Rosabel Grace Azurin said the collection program aims to help the community manage their plastic waste at home.
It will also provide additional income to the designated “Aling Tinderas” who will manage the waste collection stations, and community members who will sell their plastic waste to the collection station.
Plastic sachets, packaging materials, and containers, among other plastic waste, can be sold at an “Aling Tindera” station at PHP2 per kg., and partner organizations will then buy them at PHP2.50 per kg.
Rinalyn Alforque, one of the “Aling Tinderas” in Bago City, said through the waste-to-cash program, they will have additional income while helping reduce plastic waste in their surroundings. (PNA)
