MMDA collects 27.6 tons recyclables

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) collected 27,575.6 kilograms of recyclable materials from July to September through its Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF), which allows residents to exchange recyclables for grocery items.

In a social media post, the MMDA said the initiative aims to reduce waste entering Metro Manila’s waterways and rivers while encouraging communities to practice proper waste segregation.

“This MMDA initiative aims to increase the waste diversion rate and further strengthen the cooperation of every barangay for proper waste management,” the agency said.

“This helps reduce the waste that ends up in drainage canals and rivers,” it added.

The program, dubbed “Recyclables Mo, Palit Grocery Ko,” collected 6,570.35 kilograms of recyclables in July, 8,711.45 kilograms in August and 12,293.8 kilograms in September.

The September collection was nearly double the July volume, bringing the third-quarter total to about 27.6 metric tons.

Under the program, residents surrender recyclable materials to their barangays in exchange for grocery items through a point system.

The collected materials are then sold to partner junkshops or recyclers, according to the MMDA’s project brief.

The MMDA urged residents to segregate and store recyclable materials ahead of the next scheduled MMRF activity in their communities.