Plastic typically falls in the non-recyclable category, especially if recycling facilities do not accept it due to material standards. But differ Rezbin, an Iloilo-based waste management company that recycles almost all types of plastic into furniture and fashion items. 

The company provides plastic recovery bins to drop-off points in Iloilo, including barangays, schools, offices, hotels, and sari-sari stores, where refillable options should also be encouraged to help reduce plastic use. 

"We are here to solve the plastic crisis but we can't do this alone. Let’s reimagine plastic waste disposal in the country, solve the plastic crisis, and grow together," said Rezbin Co-Founder Mica Martirez. 

Championing a circular economy, the recycling business—which was a grant recipient of the Reimagine Recycling program of Coca-Cola Philippines and Save Philippine Seas—accepts various forms of plastic, including water and soda bottles, food containers, straws, bags, ice cream tubs, sachets, wrappers, and pouches, commonly used as packaging.

If you’re in Iloilo and have any of the said plastic waste, Rezbin eagerly awaits them. Some collections of plastic waste have been turned into IKEA vases, stylish tables, rocking chairs, eyeglass frames, phone cases, and earrings — helping individuals see value beyond trash.

How can I do it?

While you won’t need to segregate your waste by type of plastic, cleaning them is mandatory, with Rezbin reminding, “The main thing that makes plastics hard to recycle is if they are too dirty or if dirt has stuck to it for such a long time.” 

In turn, simply clean your plastics with a gentle, all-purpose cleaner and dry them out before dropping them off. Here are some locations for plastic donations: Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Brgy. Hall PHHC Block 17 and 22, Wellford Homes, Handyman Robinsons, and Teresa Store. 

You can also find Rezbins, or recovery bins that accept plastic for recycling, in BnC Cafe, Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine, Richmonde Hotel, El Flaco, and Human Nature. The company aims to place a Rezbin five minutes away from anyone in the city. 

Making things more convenient, the company has launched the Rezbin app, where you can earn rewards redeemable at partner brands by donating plastic waste. The app allows you to track your donation scores and find the nearby plastic drop-off point, which allows hassle-free recycling. 

With only a few days left before the Global Recycling Day, Rezbin encourages us to think twice before throwing plastic waste into the bin. Its story serves as a gentle reminder that we have only one planet to care for, inspiring individuals to adopt recycling not just annually, but as an integral part of their lifestyle.