People can exchange their recyclable waste for groceries through Quezon City's cashback program at the Araneta City in Cubao, part of the city's move to cut back on plastic.
The Trash to Cashback program aims to encourage the city's residents to convert their trash into environmental points (EPs) they can use to purchase essentials such as rice, eggs, bread, fruits, and toiletries. This goes hand in hand with the ongoing plastic ban in Quezon City.
Pre-registration is at the Araneta City Bus Station inside the P2P Lounge from Mar. 15 to 18 and Mar. 20 to 26.
Trading for recyclables will be on Mar. 19 and 27.
The initiative, which had a pilot run in Quezon City Hall Risen Garden, is a collaboration between Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies and the city's own Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department.
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Points earned from the program can also be used to pay for bXTRA food deliveries. A complete list of partner stores and establishments can be on the bXTRA wesbite and its delivery website.
Future runs of the trash cashbak program may go beyond just groceries to cover micro and small businesses as partner merchants.
"If we have more partner merchants where residents can exchange their EPs, mas mahihikayat natin silang ipalit ang kanilang recyclable waste," EPWMD head Andrea A. Villaroman explained.
By Jul. 1, single-use plastics and utensils will be prohibited in the city.
