URC opens more collection sites for plastic neutral push

UNIVERSAL Robina Corp. (URC) announced it has opened two more plastic collection sites as part of its newly launched “Juan Goal for Plastic” initiative meant to achieve plastic neutrality.

The new sites are in Barangay Sambat in Balayan, Batangas and Barangay Nagasi in La Carlota, Negros Occidental. Both of these sites are currently collecting used PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, as well as other recyclable plastic waste, and offer incentive schemes.

URC’s Barangay Sambat collection site partnered with the local government of Balayan, Batangas, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Balayan Junkshop, and around 281 kilograms of PET bottles were collected during the site’s opening last month.

The Barangay Nagasi collection site is in coordination with the local government of Nagasi, the Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the Barangay Council of Nagasi, and has collected over 700 kilos of plastic waste during the site’s launch.

In her speech, the Sangguniang Panlungsod chairman on environment, Josela Therese Jomento of Barangay Nagasi, thanked URC for initiating the project.

“We, in the local government, are very supportive of this, believing that this is a big help to protect our environment,” she said.

Overall, at URC’s Barangay RSB collection site in La Carlota, Negros Occidental, some 1,300 pieces of PET bottles were gathered at its second round of collection.

URC is also currently collecting plastic waste in exchange for “environmental points” in various barangay (villages) in Bagong Ilog, Pasig; Mariano Alvarez, Cavite; Robinsons Malls Galleria, Ermita, Las Piñas, Magnolia; and Starmills Pampanga.

The plastic materials being collected are shredded into flakes which are then sent to an upcycling center. These flakes are used as raw material to produce products such as chairs, bins and tables.

URC said it will continue to engage its communities to raise awareness about plastic recycling through “Juan Goal for Plastic,” and declared that it will open additional collection sites this year, including two more in Batangas.