‘Recyclable waste turns into food in La Union’

La Union is turning recyclable waste into food. Not literally though because the province is amplifying its initiative in promoting responsible waste management and environmental sustainability via a program where residents exchange recyclable wastes with canned goods.



At the La Union Convention Center, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) jumpstarted Monday its “Trash to Goods Program” in partnership with HOPE Business for Good and Century Tuna.

“Trash to Goods Program” seeks to promote circular economy principles by converting plastic waste into valuable resources, preventing it from becoming environmental pollution.

Launched in April 2023, this initiative allows residents to exchange collected plastic waste such as plastic bottles, tarpaulins, and styrofoams, among others, with the choice of either canned goods, incentivized by weight.

"This program ensures that waste materials are reintegrated into the economy instead of being discarded, ensuring sustainability and solid waste reduction," Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David underscored. “This also proves the strength and unity of our responsible constituents towards the preservation of the environment,” she added.

A total of 8.4232 metric tons of plastic waste were collected from the 15 local government units (LGUs) which supported the initiative.

The collection consisted of 4.48 metric tons of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastics and 3.9431 metric tons of mixed plastics. Collected plastic wastes were exchanged into over 175 boxes of canned goods.

The collected recyclable plastic wastes will be delivered to accredited recycling centers.

Representatives from Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., Hotel and Restaurant Associations, and the Night Market Association are participating in the program. “(It’s) one of our initiatives to strengthen our proper waste management in the province and also our way of encouraging our constituents to reduce their plastic consumption and practice proper trash segregation,” Annalyn Rosario-Valdez, Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office chief said.

An information education campaign was also launched to educate tourism stakeholders on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Plastic Code of La Union, and the process of conducting a Plastic Brand Audit. It serves as a strategic intervention to support the implementation and preservation of La Union’s 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan.