REFILL REVOLUTION. Residents of the City of San Fernando, Pampanga join the "Refill Revolution" on Friday (Jan. 24, 2020) by bringing recycled plastic bottles and containers and having these refilled with condiments and household products. The activity is an advocacy campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Central Luzon aimed at beating plastic pollution by reducing its production and necessity. (Photo courtesy of the City Government of San Fernando)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Some 600 residents in this city joined the “Refill Revolution” and trooped to the Poblacion Basketball Court in Barangay Sto. Rosario here, bringing recycled plastic bottles and containers, which were refilled with condiments and household products.
“Refill Revolution” is an advocacy campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Central Luzon that is aimed at beating plastic pollution by reducing its production and necessity.
During the activity organized by the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), the locals were able to refill kitchen condiments, laundry products, and other household items by bringing clean and reusable bottles, containers and “eco bags”.
These items were sold at prices that were 50-70 percent lower than the actual retail prices in supermarkets.
CENRO officer Regina Rodriguez said they want to teach residents to avoid single-use plastics and instead promote eco-friendly and sustainable ways of utilizing plastic products.
"We are encouraging every household to avoid regular purchase of products in plastic sachets or containers. If possible, re-use plastic containers and grab every opportunity of refilling activities,” she said, adding that another Refill Revolution is set on February 21 as part of the "Kaganapan" cityhood celebration.
Manufacturers and retailers like Nutri Asia Inc., Classic Brand Distributorship, and Glochem Marketing & Recycling Corp. took part in the refilling activity. Nutri Asia, which is among the country’s top condiments maker, was one of the stakeholders that rallied behind the initiative.
Pepsi Cola, Water District Prime Water, and Soliman E.C. were also present to give away freebies to the residents.
City Mayor Edwin David Santiago reiterated his desire for San Fernando to remain a “Zero-Waste City” in the midst of progress and development.
“We are the first-ever model of Zero Waste City in the whole country. Let us prove it by remaining educated and disciplined enough to protect and preserve our environment,” Santiago said. (PNA)
