Trash to cash: Attention all eco-friendly firms with zero wastes

MANILA, Philippines – One firm empowers waste hauling trucks running on used vegetable oil, while another converts its shampoo sachets and detergent bar wrappers from plastic wastes into cement pavements.

Others recycle used rubber tires or lead acid batteries to fund their various education projects, such as donation of books or building of classrooms in public schools.

These are the environmental initiatives that organizers of the 2012 Zero Basura Olympics (ZBO) for Business are looking for on or before the end of October 2011, as they encourage local companies to participate in the annual competition and get recognized for innovative practices in garbage or solid waste management.

Almost two years before the ZBO for Business competition was launched in April 2010, the first Zero Basura Olympics was started in June 2008 to address problems relative to solid waste management and segregation, particularly in schools all over the country.

The ZBO also aimed to fast-track the implementation of Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Earth Day Network Philippines Inc. (EDNPI), principal organizers of the ZBO for Business competition, said the theme for the coming year is “Winning the War on Waste,” or WWW.

Other organizers are the Pollution Control Association of the Phils. Inc. (PCAPI), the Phil. Business for the Environment (PBE), and the Ayala Foundation Inc., while public sector partners include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC).

In a statement, PBSP said the ZBO has been encouraging “businesses from different industries to apply conscientious and beneficial practices,” and incorporate the 3Rs  reuse, reduce, recycle  in their respective waste management initiatives.

For interested companies, ZBO for Business participants are encouraged to submit their winning entries on or before October 31.

Organizers said the entries must include narrative essays or video footage and other pertinent documentation records, primarily on solid waste management success stories, showing the sites, systems, and sustainability of waste management operations.

Submitted entries must also be existing solid waste management projects or programs regardless of their duration, while programs recently implemented within the duration of the competition will also be accepted.

Categories include 1) solid waste segregation or separation at source before reuse or recycling, 2) source reduction or minimization before entering the waste stream, 3) reuse/recycling or recovery of materials without alteration of physical or chemical characteristics, 4) composting or controlled decomposition of organic matter, and 5) green technology used for residual wastes.

PBSP said the competition also aims to encourage corporate participants so they can demonstrate the most efficient ecological solid waste management practices implemented in their respective areas of operation.

Printed entries must be in English and shall not exceed 10 pages, and must be typed in Arial font, size 12, single spaces on letter-size paper.

Both printed and electronic copies of the entries can be submitted to any of the organizers or implementing partners of the ZBO business competition.  Each of the entries must be signed by the head of the company and the designated environmental officer or pollution control officer as point person.

The recognition day and awarding ceremonies will be in April 2012, with medals and citation plaques to the deserving winners.  The judges and project organizers may also give special awards as they deem fit.

After sending the accomplished registration form and proof of payment for the registration fee, participants are encouraged to register with any of the following implementing partners: PBSP 527-7741 to 48 local 109/106 or 527-3743 and 527-3748, telfax 527-3747, e-mail ccc@pbsp.org.ph; PBE  635-2650, e-mail mypbe@yahoo.com; PCAPI  638-2914 or 637-4550, telfax 747-3974, e-mail pcapi888@yahoo.com.

A registration fee amounting to P3,000 shall be deposited to PBSP Banco de Oro (BDO) Account No. 4480-00217-3.  For more info, contact PBSP Business and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Secretariat, PSDC Bldg. Intramuros, Manila; e-mail: business_mdgsecretariat@pbsp.org.ph; website: www.pbsp.org.ph.