URC opens more plastic collection sites

Gokongwei-led food and beverage giant Universal Robina Corp. (URC) is ramping up sustainability efforts via its plastic collection and recycling program.

Dubbed Juan Goal for Plastic, URC said this was aimed at achieving “plastic neutrality,” or the retrieval and repurposing of manufactured plastics.

The company said it opened new plastic collection sites in Barangay Sambat in Balayan, Batangas and Barangay Nagasi in La Carlota, Negros Occidental.

These locations collect used PET bottles, which are commonly used by bottled water companies and other recyclable plastic waste.

“The plastic materials being collected are shredded into flakes that are then sent to an upcycling center. These flakes can be used to make high-value products such as chairs, bins and tables,” URC said.

The other collection sites are in Robinsons Malls Galleria, Ermita, Las Piñas, Magnolia and Starmills Pampanga. Collection booths would be set up every payday weekend until the end of the year, URC said.

In partnership with affiliate Robinsons Land Corp., these booths gather clean and dry plastic waste under a drop-weigh-redeem scheme.

URC said the Batangas collection site was in partnership with the local government of Balayan, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Balayan Junkshop.

It said about 280 kilograms of PET bottles were collected during the site’s opening last month.

Youth participation

In Negros Occidental, URC coordinated with the local government and Environment and Natural Resources Office and the barangay council of Nagasi.

“Over 700 kilos of plastic waste were gathered during the site’s recent launch, with some 300 children and their parents and other community members participating,” the listed manufacturer said.

Meanwhile, URC plans to open two more plastic collection sites in Batangas and other parts of the Philippines.

“URC’s initiatives are in line with the Gokongwei Group’s thrust to promote long-term efforts that will significantly help manage post-consumer plastic waste. Various business units under the group have ongoing collection, sorting and recycling programs in various areas nationwide,” the company said.