Universal Robina Corp. (URC) and Holcim Philippines have linked up with the local government of Obando town, in Bulacan province, to promote a program that over the years has led to the effective diversion of non – recyclable plastics that would have otherwise ended up in landfills or in urban waterways and out into the sea.
For the past three years, URC and Holcim – through their waste management unit Geocycle – have been processing waste plastic from URC’s operations for proper and secured treatment through cement kiln co-processing, non-recyclable plastics are converted into alternative fuels for the cement kiln used to manufacture cement at Holcim’s Iligan, Misamis Oriental plant.
“This new agreement, with Obando as a key partner, aims to further drive community-based waste diversion efforts. We hope to replicate it in other towns and cities to amplify the impact of what we set out to do three years ago,” said URC president and CEO Irwin Lee.
URC, Holcim and officials of Obando signed a tripartite agreement that provides incentives for workers at Obando’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF), based on the volume of waste they successfully divert.
At the recent signing ceremony, Obando MRF workers received sacks of rice in recognition of their crucial role in the program.
Obando’s MRF has so far collected and sorted 785 metric tons of plastic waste for co-processing.
Obando Mayor Ding Valeda said the agreement among his town, URC and Holcim “is not just a simple contract document”.
“It is indeed a symbol of collective action and hope of all stakeholders for a cleaner and safer community,” he said. “Through this collaboration, we expect to improve our programs on solid waste management and give better opportunities for our community to be part of the solution.”
Holcim’s chief sustainability officer Samuel Manlosa Jr. said this latest waste management agreement “supports Holcim’s sustainability goals to accelerate decarbonisation and circularity of operations by reducing reliance on conventional fuels and virgin raw materials and make a positive impact on communities. It is also an excellent example of how collaboration between the private and public sector can advance progress in community development and environmental stewardship.”
With this new agreement, URC, Holcim Philippines, and LGU of Obando are poised to foster a sustainable and resilient community in Obando. The ongoing efforts reflect the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors to achieve long-term environmental goals and contribute to the global fight against plastic pollution.
Strengthening the Partnership for Sustainability: Attending the ceremonial signing were (from left, front row): Councilor Rowell Rillera; Engr. Sam Manlosa Jr., Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Geocycle; Mayor Ding Valeda; Dr. Shirlyn Reyes, URC-VP for Corporate Quality and Environment, Health, & Safety; and Anthony Sierra (URC-Sustainability Officer).
Key stakeholders in attendance included teams from MENRO, Holcim Philippines, URC, and Material Recovery Facility Workers.
Empowering Communities Through Enabling and Sustainable Practices:
As part of a program spearheaded by URC, Holcim Philippines and the LGU of Obando Bulacan, incentives are offered to the waste workers at Obando’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF). During the ceremony, the first batch of rice donations was awarded to the waste workers in recognition of their crucial role in the success of the initiative.
