Quezon City named among 2025 Local Leaders Climate Awardees
The Quezon City government has been recognized as one of the 2025 Local Leaders Climate Awardees at the Bloomberg Philanthropies COP30 Local Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the local government announced on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The city earned the distinction for its Trash to Cashback program, an incentivized recycling initiative developed in partnership with Basic Environmental System Technologies Inc. (BEST).
The program aims to ease waste management challenges while helping communities, especially marginalized sectors, meet their daily needs.
“We are grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies and C40 Cities for recognizing Quezon City’s initiatives toward a circular economy. This award strengthens our resolve to implement inclusive and sustainable solutions that protect our residents from the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
Launched in 2021, Trash to Cashback allows residents to exchange recyclables and single-use plastics for environmental points (EPs). These can be used to redeem basic goods or pay utility bills.
To date, the program has diverted over 719,000 kilograms of waste, equivalent to 2.36 million EPs, preventing them from ending up in landfills and waterways.
“This accomplishment reflects the strength of collective action between the government, stakeholders, and citizens. We will keep on working hand-in-hand to ensure a future that is safe, liveable, and inclusive for all,” Belmonte added.
Quezon City has previously been recognized for its sustainability efforts. In 2022, its Urban Farming Program was named a finalist in the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards under the “United to Innovate” category.