Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has opened two more plastic collection sites as part of its newly launched “Juan Goal for Plastic” initiative meant to achieve “plastic neutrality.”

In a statement, the firm said the new sites are in Barangay Sambat in Balayan, Batangas, and Barangay Nagasi in La Carlota, Negros Occidental.

Both sites are currently collecting used PET bottles as well as other recyclable plastic waste, and offer incentive schemes.

URC’s Brgy Sambat collection site is in partnership with the Local Government of Balayan Batangas, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) and the Balayan Junkshop.

Some 281 kilos of PET bottles were collected, through the efforts of the local community and URC employees, during the site’s opening last month.

The Brgy Nagasi collection site is in coordination with the Local Government of Nagasi, the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and the Barangay Council of Nagasi.

Over 700 kilos of plastic waste were gathered during the site’s recent launch, with some 300 children and their parents and other community members participating.

Meanwhile, at URC’s Brgy RSB collection site in La Carlota, some 1,300 pieces of PET bottles were gathered at its second round of collection.

Juan Goal for Plastic is a pillar of URC’s drive to achieve “plastic neutrality.” Plastic neutral means that for every amount of plastic created, an equal amount of plastic waste is retrieved to be properly disposed of – either recycled or repurposed.

URC is also currently collecting plastic waste in exchange for “environmental points” in various barangays in Bagong Ilog Pasig and General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.

Other sites are in Robinsons Malls Galleria, Ermita, Las Pinas, Magnolia and Starmills Pampanga, where collection booths are set up every payday weekend until the end of the year.

In partnership with Robinsons Land Corporation, these booths gather clean and dry plastic waste under a drop-weigh-redeem scheme.

The plastic materials being collected are shredded into flakes that are then sent to an upcycling center. These flakes can be used to make high-value products such as chairs, bins and tables.

URC said it will open additional collection sites this year, including two more in Batangas. to raise awareness about plastic recycling through “Juan Goal for Plastic.”

URC’s initiatives are in line with the Gokongwei Group’s thrust to promote long-term efforts that will significantly help manage post-consumer plastic waste. Various business units under the group have ongoing collection, sorting and recycling programs in various areas nationwide.