Though creating waste is a part of the production process, we can still be responsible for what happens when we dispose of it. In case you didn’t know, there are only 108 sanitary landfills that operate across the country—which is only 10 percent of the total number required by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). There are even more open dumpsites—where trash is disposed of indiscriminately—in operation. 

If not landfills or open dumpsites, garbage can end up in water systems that empty out into the ocean, putting a chokehold on marine life and the ecosystem at large. 

A big part of engaging in business responsibly is being aware of the environmental impact of waste. While it’s best to manage and minimize waste at the start of the production process, there are waste disposal alternatives at the end of it. 

Here are a few recycling and waste disposal companies that can help business better manage environmental impact: 

Geocycle
Geocycle is a company that provides “customized and future oriented waste management solutions” through co-processing, which is “the use of waste materials in industrial processes as alternative fuels or raw material (AFR) to recover energy and material from them.”

For businesses, Geocycle can help tailor customized solutions for more sustainable waste disposal. It offers risk assessment, on-site handling, packaging, labeling, and other solutions depending on client needs. 

The company currently has partnerships with commercial and industrial sectors like oil and gas, semiconductor and electronics, consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, automotive, agricultural, and entertainment. Geocycle has five facilities across the country, located in La Union, Bulacan, Cebu, Misamis Oriental, and Davao. 

Learn more here. 

RMC Oil and Ecosolutions
Another waste product that businesses must dispose of responsibly is oil. For restaurants and food-based businesses, used oil might find its way into the sewer system or in a landfill. RMC Oil and Ecosolutions is a company that collects used oil and sends them to factories that require it for the production of finished products. 

RMC accepts “used cooking oil, used engine oil, coconut based oil and chemicals, used coffee grounds, and other solid scrap materials.” The ideal minimum for collection is 20 liters of used oil but can accommodate smaller quantities from smaller businesses. 

Learn more here. 

The Plaf
If your business is taking steps to be more sustainable, proper segregation and recycling of plastic materials is a good first step to take. The Plaf (or The Plastic Flamingo) is a French social enterprise that started its pilot run in the Philippines to help address the country’s plastic problem. The Plaf collects plastic waste made of PET, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, polypropylene, polystyrene, and ecobrics. 

The plastic collected will either be turned into eco-planks that make up emergency shelters or sold to recycling partners. 

For MSMEs, you can register under its individual plan, where The Plaf will provide one to two collection bins filled with plastic for a P500 drop-off and P500 collection fee, or drop it off in any of its partner hubs for free. 

Learn more here. 

Envirocycle Inc.
For technology that is no longer operational or useful enough to sell, it turns into e-waste, which contains chemicals and other materials that may be harmful to the environment. Envirocycle is a full service e-waste recycling company whose goal is to prevent any of the pollutants in electronic equipment from ending up in a landfill. 

Envirocycle offers e-waste management, data and equipment destruction, on-site scrap and waste management, valuation or outright purchase of equipment as well as electronics refurbishing, asset disposition reporting, on-site shredding and destruction, and asset tagging. 

Envirocycle is located in Silangan Industrial Park, Laguna. 

Learn more here. 

Trash Panda
Trash Panda is a mobile app that picks up your recyclables while teaching you better disposal habits. Through the app, you can schedule your waste pickups, which is priced depending on location and the amount of waste to dispose of. 

The app covers Antipolo, Angono, Binangonan, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Tagaytay, Taguig, and Cainta. 

Learn more here. 

Sentinel UpCycling Technologies
Upcycling waste is another way to help address our collective garbage problem, and Sentinel is doing just that. Sentinel is a company that takes single-use plastic items like sachets and other disposables and turns them into durable furniture and equipment like crates, pallets, trolleys, and trays. 

You can support this initiative by purchasing from or partnering with them so your plastic waste doesn’t end up in a landfill or the ocean. 

Learn more here.

Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc. (BEST Inc.)
Selling scrap metal and other recyclables is another avenue MSMEs can explore to reduce waste and earn extra income. BEST Inc. is a company that accepts recyclable materials in exchange for points through its MyBasurero app. BEST Inc. currently accepts plastic, paper, and metal recyclables. You can find the complete list of accepted products here. 

The points can be redeemed in exchange for grocery items or goods from partner brands. You can drop off your recyclable items at any of the listed locations. 

Learn more here. 

Proper waste disposal through the right channels is an integral part of sustainability. Taking the proper steps to ensure that your garbage doesn’t end up in landfills is a good start to becoming more eco-conscious and doing your part to help save the environment. There’s still more to do, but it’s a good first step. 

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