The Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) Planet Pillar initiative co-chaired by Globe and PLDT-Smart has partnered with Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and its circularity program “Iwas Kalat, Dagdag Kita,” an initiative promoting sustainable livelihood and environmental stewardship.
The partnership, supported by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), engages Philippine businesses, including Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), in environmental preservation and climate action while enhancing economic growth and green employment.
“We are thrilled to be part of the GCNP Planet Pillar and share our expertise in driving sustainability, circularity, and waste management. We believe that through this initiative, we can help reduce plastic waste in local communities and bring significant environmental benefits,” Ceidge M. Razon, corporate sustainability manager at BEST, said.
BEST, is a leader in plastic waste management and a champion of circularity.
GCNP-Planet Pillar and BEST have partnered for a community-level pilot program to digitize waste management and increase the participation of local MSMEs in the transition to a circular economy.
Only recently launched, it focuses on capacity-building and enhancing awareness about sustainability and climate resilience for households and MSMEs. Data collection and analysis on the program’s impact will be shared to aid in the development of a replicable and sustainable intervention model for other barangays.
Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Inc. chief sustainability officer and Lead of Planet Pillar, said: “We are delighted to join hands with BEST. Their pioneering innovative approaches to waste management will benefit the circularity program and help transform the way MSMEs manage plastic waste.”
Yoly Crisanto, chief sustainability and corporate communications officer at Globe Group and co-lead of Planet Pillar, shared her optimism about the collaboration with BEST, saying: “With this partnership, we aim to make significant strides in reducing plastic waste at the community-level and build an inclusive and sustainable future for us all.”
BEST’s incentivized waste management program “Trash to CashBack” and it’s My Basurero App demonstrate its commitment to the cause. Through these initiatives, BEST actively fosters improved waste management practices and circularity.
Under Trash to CashBack, households, offices, and other establishments are encouraged to exchange paper, plastic, metal, or glass recyclables at My Basurero eco-community (MBE-C) centers, earning environmental points that can be used to exchange for products or rewards through the bXTRA catalog, BEST’s loyalty program partner.
The My Basurero App is a comprehensive waste collection tool for private individuals and companies. It simplifies obtaining quotes for a variety of waste types, including municipal solid waste (MSW), construction debris, garden waste, food waste, bulky waste, and recyclable waste.
Aside from Globe, PLDT and Smart, other members of Planet Pillar include Bayo Manila, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Nestlé Philippines, The PTC Group, and Unilever Philippines.
