From waste management violator to sustainability champion
ILOILO—Transforming from a previous offender into an active partner of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the local government of Ajuy has successfully converted 700 kilograms of recovered plastic waste into 35 durable classroom chairs for Ajuy National High School.
This initiative, made possible through a collaboration with DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region VI, Subay Marketing, and Angelina Bakeshop, marks a significant milestone in the municipality’s reinforced commitment to solid waste management.
DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said partnerships that recover and reuse waste can help make environmental protection more relevant to communities.
“The challenge for us is not only how we can reduce waste, but also how we can reuse them in ways that better the lives of Filipinos,” he said.
Cuna added that the initiative supports President Marcos’ call to build partnerships for environmental protection while improving the lives of the Filipino people, as it addresses both Ajuy’s continuing waste management efforts and the school’s need for additional classroom furniture.
Implemented under Subay Marketing’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Clean Environment Program, the DENR used about 20 kg of recovered plastic for every chair. The material was processed for reuse instead of being disposed of in landfills or waterways.
Turning point
The project builds on Ajuy’s efforts to improve its waste management system after the municipality was cited in 2016 for operating an open dumpsite, lacking a 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan, and failing to fully implement segregation at source.
“Our turning point was when EMB filed a case against us in the Ombudsman because of our violations,” recalled Ajuy Mayor Loida Espinosa. That became the reason for us to become more serious in implementing our solid waste management program.”
Since then, Ajuy has strengthened segregation at the household and school levels, invested in waste management equipment, reduced its dependence on single-use plastics, and developed partnerships that can provide recovered materials with other uses.
Three of the municipality’s island barangays now have segregation at source fully implemented down to the household level. The municipality continues to work with other communities to implement the same practice.
The improved waste management efforts have also supported the needs of Ajuy National High School, where students had been dealing with a shortage of classroom chairs.
Before the new chairs were provided, some students used old and dilapidated seats, while others shared chairs or stood at the back during lessons. The shortage was particularly felt in the Special Program in Journalism, where students needed proper seating for writing and other classroom activities.
Practical use
With limited funds and no immediate source of replacement furniture, the school bought monoblock chairs where possible and sought assistance from parents to build tables.
“Before we received these chairs, our learners were sitting on the floor and some were using the old ones. It was already dilapidated. They could not focus on their lessons, and they were sitting uncomfortably,” said Ajuy National High School principal Dr. Marilyn Dolendo.
The 35 chairs, which have armrests that provide students with a proper surface for writing, gave the school additional seating while demonstrating how recovered waste can be put to practical use.
Fourteen-year-old Jeff Renzo Diane, who had experienced using damaged, wobbly seats and seeing classmates stand at the back, said the chairs changed how he viewed plastic.
“I was also amazed that these recycled plastic chairs are made from plastic, which made me realize that plastic can turn into something else rather than more waste and pollution,” he said.
