Store swaps plastics for groceries, school supplies

LAOAG CITY — A small corner at the Burgos Central Elementary School (BCES) in Poblacion village, Burgos, Ilocos Norte is inviting everyone to exchange their plastic waste for usable items, such as school supplies and grocery items.

Dubbed “Basura Exchange School Tiangge” or BEST, the program was launched recently at the school compound to educate young learners about solid waste management and help them become responsible stewards of nature.

“For every collected plastic waste, there is a corresponding point. The more points mean more items to collect,” said Poblacion village chief Joegie Jimenez who partnered with the BCES, Energy Development Corp., Burgos local government unit, and other stakeholders for the project.

Open from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday to Friday, BEST accepts clean plastic waste items only.

For a mother like Haydee Gaspar, who passed by the unique store, she said the project is “very laudable” as it helps her acquire school supplies for her son while getting rid of plastic pollution at the same time.

“My son is excited to bring our plastic waste to school because it means he has more baon (food) when he earns more points,” Gaspar said.

As part of the waste diversion initiative of the barangay, Jimenez said they tapped the public school to showcase their zero waste management program.

The collected plastics are turned into eco-bricks and decors, while some are sold to junk shops, Jimenez said.

The proceeds are then used to buy new items to replenish the store’s supplies.