Donating plastic waste goes a long way

MANILA, Philippines — Every effort counts in saving the environment. If you can’t keep up with the reduce, reuse, and recycle strategy, you can always donate your plastic waste. There are barangay recycling stations established to enforce the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act No. 9003), where you can also do volunteer work.

Donation is likewise accepted by other organizations like Plastics by Manila Automat. This upcycling design studio, located in Quezon City, runs the Tying Up Loose Ends Collection Drive as part of its ongoing effort to collect clean plastic waste and transform it into sustainable products.

“People from different areas can participate by sending their donations via courier or by dropping them off at our studio,” says Mica Agregado, head of design and production. She adds that inquiries about drop-off details can be sent through Plastics by Manila Automat’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

READ: Baguio high school students create green art by upcycling

What you can donate are high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics.

HDPE, also referred to as #2 plastics, are one of the most versatile plastic materials around, used in a wide variety of applications such as plastic bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers. These are thermoplastics that melt at a certain temperature and can be fused.

LDPE, or #4 plastics, another type of thermoplastic polymer, but softer and more flexible, are used in making courier pouches, bread bags, and other packaging items.

Through recycling methods, these plastics become materials for the design studio to turn into coasters, clocks, mirrors, stools, wallets, pouches, cable ties, and other creatively functional pieces.

Social enterprise

Just a few reminders from the team: “Please make sure all plastics are clean and dry—no food residue, oil, or moisture. If possible, sort them by type, such as HDPE vs LDPE. We aren’t able to process items with mixed materials like foil or paper-lined plastic, so best to keep donations simple and pure.”

Agregado put up Plastics by Manila Automat in 2019 with Aileen Angeles as community manager at the time. She was then exploring other avenues as a visual communication graduate who got to work with various designers, potters, sculptors, and crafters in an artist residency. She eventually ventured into plastic recycling, first as a hobby and, after four years of research and development, now as a social enterprise.

Currently joining her in the core team are Van Shafer as community manager and CG Atejada, leading the studio operations. She clarifies, though, “Our team varies depending on the nature of the project, as we also bring in additional craftsmen and carpenters. We also make it a point to provide livelihood to our community whenever there are large-scale projects.”

These days, they are busy with an installation work that requires expanding their team with eight local collaborators who are helping with fabrication and production.

“These moments allow us to share skills, generate income within our community, and scale the social impact of what we do,” she says.

Agregado also explains, “As an upcycling design, our goal is to show the wide potential of repurposing single-use plastics. This has shifted continuously through the evolution of production in furnishings, installations, talks, and workshops.”

Yes, donating plastic waste goes a long way, as the upcycling advocate tells donors. “You help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or waterways. Instead of being discarded or burned, these plastics are transformed into functional, long-lasting items.”

She points out, “It’s a small but meaningful way to support the circular economy, and to rethink how we value and use materials in our daily lives.” /cb/abc

Plastics by Manila Automat is at 17 Judge Jimenez St. Kamuning, Quezon City. Call them at +639761263997.

(2025/05/15-04:45)