Cebu City Proposes Plastic Buyback System to Tackle Mounting Waste
The Cebu City Government is actively developing a buyback system for plastic bottles and sachets, designed to incentivize recycling and significantly reduce the city's escalating garbage volume. Mayor Nestor Archival revealed this initiative during a press conference on Monday, March 9, 2026, outlining a plan where consumers would pay a small deposit on plastic containers, refundable upon return.
Reviving the 'Pundo' Concept for Modern Waste Challenges
Mayor Archival compared the proposed system to the traditional 'pundo' method once used for glass soft drink bottles, emphasizing its potential to curb plastic pollution. 'We are now crafting an ordinance similar to what we had before when we bought soft drinks in bottles that carried a deposit,' he stated. Under this ordinance, a deposit ranging from 25 to 50 centavos would be added to products like bottled water, with consumers able to reclaim the amount at designated collection points, such as gasoline stations and local businesses.
Targeting Single-Use Plastics and Forging Partnerships
The buyback system will specifically address single-use shampoo sachets, which are major contributors to local pollution. 'Every time you use plastic, you will not easily throw it away because there is a buyback option,' Archival explained. Additionally, the City is finalizing a memorandum of agreement with a cement manufacturing company to utilize processed plastic waste in its operations, further enhancing waste diversion efforts.
Addressing a Looming Budget Crisis in Waste Management
These initiatives come as Cebu City confronts a severe budget crisis in waste management. The annual budget, previously P500 million, is projected to surge to P2 billion due to rising fuel prices and the 61-kilometer haul to a disposal facility in Aloguinsan. To mitigate costs, the city is intensifying waste diversion strategies:
- At Carbon Public Market, approximately 15 tons of biodegradable waste are diverted daily.
- A shredding facility at the South Road Properties processes organic material, which makes up 60 percent of the city's total refuse.
The proposed buyback ordinance will undergo further review before being presented to the Cebu City Council for approval, marking a critical step toward sustainable urban management.
