TACLOBAN CITY — Strengthening government efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has turned over 60 kilograms of soft plastic waste to the local government of Naval, supporting the town’s “RESIKLO” waste-to-rewards program.
The turnover was led by BFP Provincial Director FCINSP Zardoz Abela, who said the initiative ensures that plastic waste collected by the agency will be diverted from landfills and instead processed at Naval’s municipal recycling facility. The recovered materials will be transformed into durable, eco-friendly school chairs.
In a demonstration of the circular economy in action, the upcycled chairs will be used at the BFP Fire Safety Education Center which serves as both a training venue for fire personnel and an interactive learning space for students in the municipality.
Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina welcomed the BFP’s participation, saying it shows how the RESIKLO framework is gaining support across various government institutions and encouraging wider public involvement in waste reduction efforts.
According to the LGU, soft plastics—often among the most difficult materials to manage in conventional waste systems—are shredded and molded into “plastic lumber.” The resulting chairs are not only long-lasting but also serve as a tangible reminder to young learners about the value of recycling and the principles of the circular economy.
The RESIKLO program, a flagship environmental initiative of Mayor Espina, follows a “waste-to-rewards” model that incentivizes proper waste disposal. Earlier this year, the program expanded through “RESIKLO sa Empleyado,” which encourages government workers to participate in plastic recovery.
Under the system, participants earn 10 points for every kilogram of soft plastic—such as food wrappers, sachets, and foil packs—turned over to the Resiklo Hub. These points can be redeemed for basic necessities, including groceries, school supplies, and clothing.
The LGU said it is eyeing a broader, community-wide rollout of the program to help address the municipality’s plastic waste problem while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
