Cebu City boosts recycling drive with glass bottle recovery program

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government formally launched the Balik Bote program at Plaza Independencia yesterday, in partnership with a private company, as part of its intensified campaign to reduce landfill dependence and promote recycling.

The initiative encourages residents to return glass bottles for refunds or product exchanges, with the pilot rollout covering 11 barangays, namely Apas, Basak San Nicolas, Luz, Carreta, Kasambagan, Mabolo, Tinago, San Jose, Inayawan, Tejero, and Kalunasan, according to Mayor Nestor Archival.

Archival, joined by councilors and Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) officials, emphasized that the program is about both environmental stewardship and community participation.

“This initiative aims to recover and repurpose glass bottles, reduce waste sent to landfills, and strengthen responsible waste management in our communities,” Archival said.

As part of the program, San Miguel Brewery Inc. and San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation will manage bottle recovery and recycling.

Clean, unbroken bottles will be refunded in cash, while other glass bottles may be exchanged for rice or products, reinforcing a culture of recycling and shared responsibility.

“This partnership is another step toward building a culture of recycling and shared environmental responsibility as we work together for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Cebu City,” Archival said.

The program comes amid Cebu City’s mounting garbage crisis.

Earlier this year, the collapse of the Binaliw landfill, which killed dozens, forced the city to declare a solid waste management emergency and scramble for alternatives.

The city now hauls 700 tons of daily waste to Aloguinsan at P3,906 per ton, three times the previous rate. These costs and risks have pushed the Archival administration to pursue diversion programs that lessen landfill dependence.

Prior to the Balik Bote launch, Archival also rolled out the “Basura Namo, Kaugmaon Nato” program in three of the city’s most populated public schools.

The BNKN program was piloted at Talamban Elementary School and later expanded to Lahug and Talamban National High School.

It encourages students to bring segregated biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste from their homes for collection at school.

Properly segregated waste is purchased by the city, with proceeds credited to class sections. (FREEMAN)