SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Reduce. Reuse. Refill.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is urging stakeholders in this Freeport to join “Refill Revolution” and thereby help reduce plastic wastes by using refillable containers for household supplies they buy.

On Tuesday, November 19, the SBMA Ecology Center will team up with the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-EMB) to bring the “Refill Revolution” program to Subic during the Recyclables Collection Event (RCE), which is a biennial recycling project of the SBMA.

Target participants for this project are SBMA employees, Subic Bay Freeport business locators and workers, and residents of Olongapo City, Zambales and Bataan.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya dela Llana said “Refill Revolution” is designed to do away with sachets and “tingi” (small retail) packs that usually end up in drainage systems, rivers and other waterways, and eventually the sea.

“By buying in bulk, choosing products without much packaging and by using refillable containers for these products, we can help reduce wastes and prevent environmental pollution,” she added.

Dela Llana said that under “Refill Revolution”, participants can buy powder detergent at P30 per kilo; fabric conditioner at P20 per kilo; dishwashing liquid at P20 per liter; and hand soap at P20 per liter.

Accredited suppliers and sellers will also offer essential household items like soy sauce, cane vinegar, cooking oil, and brown sugar at reduced prices, she added.

Another new activity during the 7th RCE to be held at the Mini Golf Course here is the “Trash for Rice” project, which is a social development program of the Asia Processing Industry Association of Subic.

Dela Llana said “Trash for Rice” will give one kilo of rice for every one kilo of plastic or half kilo of cigarette butts turned in by participants. She said that organizers aim to collect 1,000 kilos of clean and dry plastic, sando bags, sachet, and cigarette butts, with a maximum of 10 kilos each for each pre-registered Subic Bay Freeport locator.

Yet another new highlight in Tuesday’s recycling event is a Tire Upcycling Workshop, wherein experts would demonstrate how used tires could be turned into artistic creations like plant pots, Christmas wreath, chair and stool, and hammock.

Target participants for the workshop are SBMA employees, and members of the Pastolan and Kanawan Ayta communities in the Subic Bay Freeport.

At the same time, Dela Llana said the 7^th Recyclable Collection Event will continue with its objective of facilitating the proper disposal of recyclables. This time, recyclers will take in paper and plastic, used clothes and footwear, and expired medicines and needles on top of regular recyclables like electronic wastes, used oils, lead acid batteries, busted light bulbs and lamps and tires.

The fees collected for the disposal of hazardous wastes are donated to the “Bantay Kalikasan” environment protection program.

Meanwhile, various groups and business establishments will put up booths during the event to showcase and sell local products and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic packaging.

Aside from the recycling events, the SBMA has initiated other environment-friendly programs and has banned the use of single-use plastics in the agency’s workplaces. — Henry Empeño