Metro Manila residents now have another reason to sort their plastics. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has teamed up with homegrown giant Jollibee Foods Corporation to launch a Plastic Waste Recovery and Rewards Program, turning community recycling efforts into real incentives. Every seven kilograms of plastic collected can now be exchanged for a P100 Jollibee gift certificate making eco-friendly habits not just responsible, but rewarding.
Turning Trash Into Rewards: How the Program Works
The initiative aims to motivate households and barangays to actively participate in proper waste segregation and collection. Residents can bring their segregated plastics to their local Women’s Group, community leaders, or designated barangay collection points. Barangay representatives then weigh the plastics and log them before sending them to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) for verification.
Each kilogram of plastic earns participants 10 points, recorded in a Barangay Reward Card. Once participants reach 70 points, they can redeem a P100 Jollibee gift certificate. Accredited recycling partners ensure that the collected plastics are processed properly, giving waste a second life while keeping Metro Manila cleaner.
A Collaboration for Cleaner Communities
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes highlighted that this partnership strengthens both agencies’ commitment to environmental management, community empowerment, and sustainable development. He also noted that the program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which seeks to expand waste minimization efforts across the country.
Artes said the initiative demonstrates how government and private sectors can unite for a common purpose: promoting responsible solid waste management and encouraging active household participation in protecting waterways and reducing landfill waste.
Jollibee’s Role in Building Sustainable Practices
Jollibee Group Philippines CEO Joseph Tanbuntiong emphasized that the program is part of the company’s ‘Joy For Tomorrow’ sustainability agenda. By working with the MMDA and their recycling partner, Greencycle, Jollibee ensures that collected plastics are properly recycled and reused, supporting safer neighborhoods and cleaner waterways.
Tanbuntiong added that this project shows the power of collective action, proving that lasting progress happens when government, business, and communities work together toward shared goals.
Program Coverage and Early Results
The six-month pilot initially covers 20 barangays in Vitas, Tondo, Manila, with plans to expand to 36 barangays near Tripa de Gallina in Pasay and Makati City. A dry run conducted from February 10 to March 31, 2025, in Vitas alone generated 1,059 kilograms of plastic waste, a promising start for a community-driven program aimed at diverting plastic from landfills.
This initiative is part of the broader Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Community-Based Solid Waste Management Program, combining sustainability with community empowerment.
For Metro Manila residents, the Plastic Waste Recovery and Rewards Program makes recycling tangible and rewarding. Whether you live in a participating barangay or nearby, getting involved means cleaner streets, healthier waterways, and a free P100 treat from Jollibee for doing your part. Small actions, like sorting plastics at home, now translate into real benefits for you and your community.