Universal Robina Corp. (URC) has opened two more plastic collection sites as part of its newly launched “Juan Goal for Plastic” initiative meant to achieve “plastic neutrality.”
The new sites are in Barangay Sambat in Balayan, Batangas, and Barangay Nagasi in La Carlota, Negros Occidental.
Both sites are currently collecting used PET bottles as well as other recyclable plastic waste, and offer incentive schemes.
URC’s Brgy Sambat collection site is in partnership with the local government of Balayan, Batangas; the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), and the Balayan Junkshop. Some 281 kilos of PET bottles were collected through the efforts of the local community and URC employees during the site’s opening last month.
The Brgy Nagasi collection site is in coordination with the local government of Nagasi, the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), 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.
URC recently launched another collection site under its Juan Goal for Plastic project, this time in Barangay Nagasi, La Carlota, Negros Occidental. In the photo, from left to right: URC Sugar & Renewables (SURE) HR Officer April Joy Arroyo; URC La Carlota Plant Manager Noli Segovia; Sangguniang Panglunsod Chair on Environment Josela Therese Jomento; Sangguniang Panglunsod Member Fini Jalandoni; Mark Threx Rojo, Executive Assistant to the Mayor; Noel Gamilla of the Environment & Natural Resources Office (ENRO); URC SURE Operations Manager Mario Palma; and Punong Barangay Marive Montoya.
In her speech, Sangguniang Panglunsod Chair on Environment Josela Therese Jomento thanked URC for initiating this project. “We in the LGU are very supportive of this, believing that this is a big help to protect our environment,” she said.
Meanwhile, at URC’s Brgy RSB collection site in La Carlota, some 1,300 pieces of PET bottles were gathered in its second round of collection.
During the launch of URC’s Brgy Nagasi plastic collection site, Mark Threx Rojo, Executive Assistant of Mayor Rex Jalando-on, signs the Juan Goal for Plastic environmental covenant.
“Juan Goal for Plastic” is a pillar of URC’s drive to achieve “plastic neutrality.”
“Plastic neutral” means that for every amount of plastic created, an equal amount of plastic waste is retrieved to be properly disposed of — either recycled or repurposed.
URC is also currently collecting plastic waste in exchange for “environmental points” in various barangays in Bagong Ilog Pasig and General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.
During the launch of URC’s Barangay Sambat plastic collection site: Jean Pauline S. Ilao, representative of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) with Dan Santos, URC’s HR Assistant and Program Lead for Juan Goal for Plastic in Balayan, Batangas.
Other sites are in Robinsons Malls Galleria, Ermita, Las Piñas, Magnolia, and Starmills Pampanga, where collection booths are set up every payday weekend until the end of the year. In partnership with Robinsons Land Corp., these booths gather clean and dry plastic waste under a drop-weigh-redeem scheme.
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.
Barangay Sambat Councilors Basilia De Guzman, John Paul Alday, and Yolanda Mendoza extend their support to Juan Goal for Plastic.
URC will continue to engage its communities to raise awareness about plastic recycling through “Juan Goal for Plastic.” The company will open additional collection sites this year, including two more in Batangas.
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.
