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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Telcos help digitize waste management

Telcos help digitize waste management

Published Jul 2, 2023 01:01 pm
Local telcos have partnered with a plastic waste management firm to digitize waste management for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). In particular, the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) - Planet Pillar, co-chaired by Globe Telecom Inc. and PLDT Inc. - Smart Communications Inc., forged the pilot community initiative with Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc (BEST). Recently launched in Barangay Escopa, the program focuses on capacity-building and enhancing awareness about sustainability and climate resilience for households and MSMEs. The pilot focuses on BEST's incentivized waste management program "Trash to CashBack" and its My Basurero (Garbage Collector) App. Under Trash to CashBack, households, offices, and other establishments can exchange paper, plastic, metal, or glass recyclables at My Basurero Eco-Community (MBE-C) Centers. Participants earn Environmental Points (EPs) which they exchange for products or rewards through the bXTRA catalog, BEST’s loyalty program partner. On the other hand, the My Basurero App is a comprehensive waste collection tool for private individuals and companies. It simplifies obtaining quotes for a variety of waste types, including Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), construction debris, garden waste, food waste, bulky waste, and recyclable waste. During the pilot program, GCNP-Planet Pillar will hold a monthly GCNP Day at Barangay Escopa where the community can bring their clean and dry plastic waste and receive double or triple the EPs. They can exchange the EPs for products through the bXTRA catalog, which includes some products of the GCNP-Planet Pillar members. During GCNP Day, BEST and GCNP-Planet Pillar will also hold learning sessions for the community and MSMEs to upskill them in circular practices and improve their knowledge of environmental management. The partners will share data collection and analysis on the program's impact to develop a model which can be replicated in other barangays. The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) supports the initiative as it promotes environmental preservation and climate action while enhancing economic growth and green employment in the local sector. Indeed, "This initiative can reduce plastic waste in local communities and bring significant environmental benefits," says Engr. Ceidge M. Razon, Corporate Sustainability Manager of BEST. The pioneering approach to waste management will transform the way MSMEs manage plastic waste, noted Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Inc. Chief Sustainability Officer and Lead of Planet Pillar. Ultimately, "We aim to make significant strides in reducing plastic waste at the community-level and build an inclusive and sustainable future for us all," stressed Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of the Globe Group and Co-Lead of Planet Pillar. Aside from Globe, PLDT and Smart, other members of Planet Pillar include Bayo Manila, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Nestlé Philippines, The PTC Group, and Unilever Philippines
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