ILOILO City – Turning discarded plastics into a source of revenue and livelihood, the Iloilo City government has generated more than P2.2 million from plastic waste recovery since 2023, while its expanding recycling campaign has collected over 2.17 million kilograms of recyclable materials in the first 10 months of 2026.
Data from the General Services Office (GSO) showed that the city earned P2,223,008.32 from the sale of plastic credits under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law, corresponding to approximately 2.2 million kilograms of plastic waste recovered and diverted since 2023.
The proceeds have been used to finance livelihood programs, improve waste recovery facilities, and support sustainable entrepreneurship initiatives, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into economic opportunities.
The revenue-generating initiative is being implemented by the GSO in partnership with Evergreen Labs PH.
Among its beneficiaries is the USWAG Calahunan Livelihood Association, whose green livelihood programs have received funding from the proceeds.
The funds have also supported the rehabilitation of the Central Materials Recovery Facility to improve operational efficiency and workplace safety.
Another beneficiary is the Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) Program, which provides livelihood opportunities to members of homeowners’ associations in Lanit, Jaro, and San Juan, Molo.
Meanwhile, the city’s broader recycling campaign has gained momentum, with 57 barangays participating in recyclable waste collection this year, an increase of 45 barangays compared with 2025.
Under the AGUBAY Project, implemented by the GSO in partnership with Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, the city recovered 2,178,415.67 kilograms of recyclable materials from January 1 to October 20, 2026.
The substantial increase in barangay participation reflects the local government’s intensified efforts to promote waste segregation, strengthen community-based recycling, and reduce the volume of discarded materials requiring final disposal.
Metal accounted for the largest share of recovered materials at 33.1 percent, followed closely by plastic at 31.7 percent.
Glass comprised 18.7 percent of the total collection, while paper contributed 14.9 percent and other recyclable materials accounted for the remaining 1.6 percent.
Among specific materials, scrap iron topped the metal category with approximately 380,000 kilograms recovered.
Hard plastics, including discarded monobloc chairs and other rigid plastic materials, contributed around 330,000 kilograms, while polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles accounted for another 270,000 kilograms.
The GSO said the substantial volume of recovered metal, plastic, and glass underscores the potential for expanding recycling operations and developing markets for discarded materials with commercial value.
The city’s waste recovery initiatives also support the objectives of the EPR Law, which requires covered large enterprises to establish systems for recovering and properly managing plastic packaging waste.
By linking recycling activities with livelihood development, Iloilo City is seeking to demonstrate that effective solid waste management can deliver economic benefits alongside environmental protection.
The growing participation of barangays is also expected to strengthen waste segregation at the community level, a critical component of sustainable waste management./PN
