PLDT, Smart push for recycling, responsible waste management

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications further embed recycling and responsible waste management into their culture as for the second straight year, the two joined the X-Trash challenge organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) that runs until Sept. 16, 2022.

The initiative encourages PLDT and Smart employees to exchange recyclable plastic, paper, and metal for environmental points (EPs) that can buy food packs for beneficiaries.

This year, the PLDT Group will donate EPs to Solidarity with Orphans and Widows, a community-based rehabilitation program for families in the depressed community of Payatas who are victims of violence and who have experienced deep trauma, and Childhope Philippines Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes the welfare, upholds, and protects children’s rights particularly those on the streets.

“We recognize that waste is a growing problem in the country. We need to intensify efforts on recycling and responsible waste management. By supporting PBSP’s X-Trash challenge, the PLDT Group joins other like-minded organizations in tackling the problem of waste and providing an opportunity to improve lives in adopted communities. It also aligns with our push to further incorporate sustainability into our corporate culture as well as inspire employees to help build sustainable communities,” said Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT chief sustainability officer and head of investor relations.

Admissible plastics include PET bottles, detergent containers, PVC pipes and tarpaulins, single-use plastics and cutlery.

Newsprint, paper plates, receipts, office wastepaper, cardboard boxes, and beverage cartons are also accepted.

Surrendered metals like steel beams, pots, roofs, crown caps, as well as aerosol, food and aluminum cans also merit EPs.

In 2021, despite limited mobility, group employees propelled Smart to second runner-up and PLDT to third runner-up.

Supported by the PLDT board led by chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio has identified sustainability as one of the drivers of the PLDT Group strategy as exemplified by its decarbonization roadmap which aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by around 40 percent by 2030.

Responsible waste management is aligned with the focus of the Planet Pillar of the United Nations Global Compact local chapter, Global Compact Network Philippines where the PLDT Group is a member. The initiative is part of the Group’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.