Students may soon swap recyclables for cash, school supplies

MANILA, Philippines - The government has launched a program to encourage students to exchange their recyclables for school supplies and money.

The goal of the National Ecosavers Program (NEP) is to have every school establish an ecological solid waste recovery system, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje.

“By establishing some form of incentive for managing their solid waste, we are encouraging students to sort their waste and minimize the generation of garbage in their homes. Participating students will get something useful, possibly even cash, in exchange for the recyclables they turn in to their schools,” he said.

Paje said an incentive mechanism is being formulated under the program, where students will be issued an “Ecosavers Club Passbook” to record the credit points they earn from their recyclable materials.

The recyclables will then be pooled for final collection by accredited junk shops or recyclers.

The initial phase of the NEP would be implemented in 763 public elementary and high schools in the National Capital Region, involving some 1.9 million students.

He also said that part of the program would also enjoin schools to make their own compost from biodegradable wastes. The compost could then be used as fertilizer for seedlings produced and nurtured under the National Greening Program.