The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Employees Association, Inc. (BSPEAI) has donated nearly 100 armchairs made entirely from recycled Philippine polymer banknotes that are no longer suitable for circulation, as part of its sustainability and community development efforts. The ceremonial turnover was held on 22 July 2026 at Doña Pilar L. Marfori Elementary School in Davao City, led by BSP deputy governor Mamerto E. Tangonan, BSP Mindanao Regional Office officer-in-charge Jason P. Capocao, BSPEAI president Brent S. Lucero, and Currency Policy and Integrity Department director Eloisa T. Glindro, with school principal Eloisa Questo receiving the donation.
The armchairs come from the Banknote-to-Armchair Project, a partnership between BSPEAI and private firm Envirotech Waste Recycling, Inc. that turns unfit polymer notes and production leftovers into sturdy classroom furniture. Deputy governor Tangonan noted that polymer banknotes are designed with a full lifecycle in mind, from regular use all the way through proper recycling. BSPEAI president Lucero explained that the chosen school was identified after a careful assessment of local needs and priorities.
This recycling effort supports the core environmental goal of shifting to polymer currency, which is smarter, cleaner and more hard-wearing than paper money. Their longer lifespan means far fewer replacements are needed: from 2022 to May 2026, just 0.02 percent of 1,000-piso polymer notes issued were returned as worn or damaged, compared to 54.75 percent of the old 1,000-piso paper notes over the same period. No lower-value polymer notes have been returned as unfit since they were launched in December 2024. As more polymer notes eventually finish their time in circulation, projects like this provide a responsible way to manage them so they do not become waste. The Banknote-to-Armchair Project shows how innovation, care for the environment and social concern can work together to deliver real help to communities.
