The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Council of Barangay Poblacion, Kumalarang, this province is launching a plastic bottle trading program to help reduce plastic wastes in their town.

Lorenzo Gomonit, SK chairperson of Poblacion, Kumalarang, said that the program will formally be launched during the upcoming Barangay Assembly on Oct. 26.

Gomonit said part of the program is the establishment of “Palit Plastic Bottle Sari-Sari Store” that will serve as the trading center to barter plastic bottles with either school supplies, rice or grocery items.

Gomonit said the program aims to help students in public schools to acquire educational supplies without shelling out cash.

“We conceptualized the project after seeing kids in Kumalarang public schools in need of school supplies,” he said.

Gomonit said that a kilo of 1.5-liter plastic bottles can be traded for a canned good, two packs of noodles, and a sachet of coffee; or two notebooks, a ball pen, and a pencil.

Gomonit said more food items & school supplies will be given to anyone who will turn over more plastic bottles.

For instance, he said five kilos of plastic bottles can be traded with either a set of grocery items with a reusable bottle, or a set of school supplies plus a reusable bottle.

Gomonit said the plastic bottles will be converted into plastic bricks.

He said the program will be financed through the funds of the Barangay Poblacion SK Council. (PNA)