Over P2.4 million in recyclable materials sold since 2002

Over a thousand cubic meters of garbage were converted into hard cash by a number of “recyclers” who participated in the various one-day recyclable collection events in the country that were jointly launched by the government and business companies since 2002, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported yesterday.

Based on DENR data, approximately 1,461 cubic meters of wastes gathered through the Recyclables Collection Event (RCE), which was established in collaboration with numerous companies like the Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE) and Ayala Foundation Inc., were converted to cash amounting to over P2.4 million in the past five years.

These recyclable materials, the DENR noted, could have filled 146 10-ton dump trucks, if recyclers did not opt to exchange them for cash in the RCE.

“The one-day buying events directly benefited the environment in terms of recovering toxic gases and heavy metals that pollute the air,” the DENR said.

According to the DENR, dust, fumes, and leachate of improperly disposed electronic products like computers, wire insulation, batteries, and electrical solders, which contain heavy metals and hazardous chemicals, can be fatal if they find their way into the groundwater.

The DENR also said that these wastes when ingested and inhaled might cause shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, rapid heart rate and even death.

Citing the consolidated latest report submitted by the PBE to DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, the collection and recycling of wastes have led to the recovery of 164,288.25 kilos of lead; 8,900.66 grams of precious metals; 71,205.24 kilos of base metals; 1,226.90 kilos of aluminum; 3,510.06 kilos of PET plastics and treated 32,857.65 kilos of sulfuric acid; and 11,867.54 kilos of other toxic substances.

The amount of waste paper products that were turned in for recycling have also spared 2,021 trees from cutting, the DENR stressed.

“These collection events may just be a one-day affair, but their effect on us and to our environment lasts a lifetime,” Reyes said.

The RCE, launched in 2001, promotes the 3 R’s in solid waste management— Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce. Various RCEs were held in key cities of the country such as Cebu and Davao.

Recyclable materials accepted in buying stations are old electronics and electrical equipment, used lead and batteries, used papers and cartons, used PET bottles and other plastics, used ink and toner cartridges, aluminum cans, scrap glass, and used Styrofoam materials.