DENR_NATIONAL_CAPITAL_REGION_OPENS_TRASH_TO_CASHBACK_PROGRAM_BOOTH_IN_QUEZON_CITY

DENR National Capital Region partnered with BEST Technology, Inc. to open its first Trash to Cashback program booth on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, at the National Ecology Center (NEC) in East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

The booth, called “My Basurero Eco-Community Center” or MBE-C, will serve as a drop-off point and exchange center for recyclable materials, according to DENR National Capital Region Regional Executive Director, Jacqueline A. Caancan.

“Quezon City residents may bring their recyclable materials to the MBE-C in exchange for environmental points that are convertible to consumer goods from program partners”, Director Caancan explained. The Trash to Cashback program aims to promote proper waste segregation at source by providing incentives to participants. “Nearby residents can bring or deliver recyclable waste from their homes or offices to our MBE-C booth here at the NEC, earn credits, and redeem environmental points on-site or through bXTRA app”, Director Caancan said.

Partner outlets of the program include big companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) offering a variety of products and services in exchange for recyclable waste.

“The program supports the circular economy model in that it encourages people to patronize products that are packed in recyclable materials, prolonging their use and reuse for the longest time possible, and this would help in reducing the amount of waste ending up in our landfills or, worst, in Manila Bay”, Director Caancan emphasized.

Director Caancan said that the MBE-C at the NEC is but the first of the drop-off/exchange centers the regional office is set to open. “We will also be setting up MBE-Cs in our North Field Office (NFO) to cover the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) area; South Field Office (SFO), for residents of the cities of Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, and municipality of Pateros; and in our West Field Office (WFO) for residents of Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasay”, she disclosed.

The MBE-Cs will be strategically placed to serve and engage more people in DENR's campaign to promote responsible waste management and to preserve the environment in the Manila Bay Area.