Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte proudly announced Thursday that the local government, along with five other cities, was named one of the 2025 Local Leaders Climate Awardees at the Bloomberg Philanthropies COP30 Local Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Belmonte said the city's Trash to Cashback program, in partnership with Basic Environmental System Technologies Inc., is the city’s incentivized recycling initiative that addresses waste management challenges while supporting the basic needs of communities, particularly marginalized groups.

"We are grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies and C40 Cities for recognizing Quezon City’s initiatives toward a circular economy. This award strengthens our resolve to implement inclusive and sustainable solutions that protect our residents from the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change," Belmonte said.

Launched in 2021, the program allows residents to trade recyclables and single-use plastics for "environmental points" (EPs), which can be redeemed for basic commodities or used to pay utility bills. To date, the Trash to Cashback program has diverted over 719,000 kg of waste—worth 2.36 million EPs—from ending up in landfills and waterways.

"This accomplishment reflects the strength of collective action between the government, stakeholders, and citizens. We will keep on working hand-in-hand to ensure a future that is safe, liveable, and inclusive for all," the mayor added.

In 2022, the city's Urban Farming Program was among the finalists in the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards under the "United to Innovate" category.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Climate Leaders Awards celebrate the most ambitious and innovative climate projects that deliver measurable impact. It recognizes outstanding achievements while showcasing scalable solutions and providing finalists with a platform to share best practices, inspire action, and drive progress in communities worldwide.