The city government is collecting unused lunch boxes and reusable tumblers for distribution to schoolchildren as part of efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste.

Aileen Refuerzo, city information officer, said Tuesday the initiative encourages students to bring water from home and use refillable containers instead of buying bottled water.

“The city wants to encourage the children to bring their water from their homes and schools to provide water for refill of containers so that we can reduce the production of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles,” Refuerzo said.

The city has collected more than 400 reusable tumblers and 180 washable lunch boxes during an ecological solid waste management sustainability fair in late September and on Oct. 4, she said.

“This is expected to help reduce the daily use of single-use plastics among students,” Refuerzo added.

The drive was initiated by the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office in coordination with Mil-an National High School in Barangay Loakan, which has about 1,600 students in Grades 7 to 12.

The initiative responds to the school’s experience with large volumes of single-use plastic from packed meals and beverages. The collected containers will be distributed to students as reusable alternatives and to promote waste reduction at the source.

The project is part of the city’s Pansa-nopen Tayo Circular Economy Program, which promotes collective action and circular practices in communities and institutions. Officials plan to replicate the initiative in other schools.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier urged residents to use reusable water containers instead of repeatedly buying bottled water, which contributes to plastic waste.

The city has piloted the production of school chairs made from plastic waste in six barangays as part of its efforts to reduce plastic pollution. (PNA)