In Quezon City, residents may exchange their trash for groceries

This move is a win for the city, the residents, and most especially, the environment.

Quezon City recently launched its plastic waste trading program called “Trash to cashback,” where residents can exchange their recyclables for groceries.

The initiative aims to encourage residents to convert their plastic, paper, and metal waste to environmental points or EPs, which can be exchanged for basic commodities like rice, eggs, bread, fruits and vegetables, and other essentials like toiletries.

The EPs may also be exchanged for food delivery items and discounts from participating stores in the program’s partner bXTRA.

Those who are interested to trade their recyclables have to register at bxtra.com.ph/en/signup. Residents may also go to the pre-registration area at the Araneta Bus Station in Cubao, inside the P2P lounge from March 15 to 18 and March 20 to 26.

Recyclables—plastic, paper or metal—should be washed clean with labels and caps removed, and segregated in a reusable bag per waste type before bringing them to the Trash Cashback booth. This March, residents may drop off their segregated recyclables at the Araneta Bus Station on March 19 and 27.

The minimum weight of exchange is one kilo. Each type of waste has corresponding points, like one kilo of clear PET bottles is equivalent to 10 EPs, or one kilo of newspaper is equivalent to three EPs. Metal items like cans, wires, roof or refrigerators are also accepted.

The environmental points earned will be transferred to one’s bXTRA account. Once one has accumulated enough points, one may redeem them at the mobile redemption store and partner outlets.

According to the Quezon City government, the "trash to cashback" initiative will be rolled out in barangays soon.

The city currently bans use of plastic bags, and is set to implement the ban on single-use plastics and utensils starting July 1.