As Global Recycling Day draws near, score a twofold win for the environment by decluttering your home and breathing new life into waste with Smart Recycle PH's “Recycling for Trees” campaign, which converts recyclables into fruit-bearing trees. 

In partnership with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and One to Tree, the campaign allows individuals to earn recycling points through the Smart Recycle PH app. It accepts papers, cartons, aluminum, tin, and e-waste as recyclables, helping prevent waste from reaching landfills. 

“In our first year, we planted 1,000 guyabano seedlings in Barangay Luca, Balamban in Cebu. Altogether, we diverted 358,478 kilograms of recyclables from ending up in landfills," said Smart Recycle PH Communications Manager Noelle Cubacub.

To scale up reforestation efforts, the environmental organization’s second campaign year is set to reach another 1,500 seedlings in June 2024. Moreover, it plans to broaden partnerships by reaching out to schools and local communities in the third year.

With the horrors of greenwashing looming large, the organization provides monitoring and transparency reports to help promote "sustainability tracing among corporate partners, organizations, and communities." 

“Regularly publishing comprehensive sustainability reports detailing key environmental metrics, progress toward goals, and initiatives undertaken reinforces Smart Recycle PH's commitment to transparency and accountability," said Cubacub.

At a time when human activities continue to plague the planet, we must learn to recycle what we dump onto it; otherwise, we risk losing our only home. 

Smart Recycle PH’s campaign encourages individuals to view trash as a potential resource, even making recycling a few taps away from the phone. While it's "never too late" to help the planet, Cubacub emphasizes the urgency to start right now. 

"Start small, but start now. Get to know your recyclables, find out what goes where, and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Remember that every little effort from the heart counts, whether it's separating your plastics from your paper or joining a local recycling initiative," she advocated.