Got empty plastics from your recent online shopping spree? Here's where to donate them
How many times have you shopped online this month? How many parcels have you received? How much trash have you accumulated from your shopping sprees? And most importantly, what do you do with the empty packaging?
If your answer to the first three questions is "a little too much" and "I throw them away" to the last, then you should know that there's a company that collects and upcycles those types of plastics.
Meet The Plastic Flamingo, or The Plaf. It is a "social company based in Manila that aims to tackle marine plastic pollution" by collecting and transforming plastics into useful products such as materials for shelters.
So, instead of "recycling" these plastics into garbage bags, donate it to The Plaf for better use! Check out how you can do so below.
What type of plastics can I donate?
Aside from your parcel pouches and bubble wraps, you can donate any type of plastic—Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), and others. But just make sure they're clean and dry.
Examples of these are liquid or food containers, soda bottles, condiment bottles, water bottles, shampoo or lotion bottles, cleaning product bottles, milk jugs, bleach bottles, broken hangers, pail, PVC tubes, plastic chairs, plastic trays, clear firm plastics, garbage bags, microwaveable containers, ice cream tubs, milk tea cups, bottle caps, egg trays, yogurt containers, plastic cups and utensils, straws, CD cases, water cooler bottles, multi-material packaging, and eco bricks.
What don't they accept?
Hygiene products such as face masks, sanitary pads, diaper, cotton, and cotton buds are not allowed. The Plaf also does not accept glass bottles and tin cans, styrofoam, papers, and electronic gadgets.
Where can I drop them off?
You may drop off your plastics to the following centers or malls personally or through express courier.
The Plaf Warehouse:
Block 6 – Building 2, National Road, 1 Tepaurel Compound, Putatan, Muntinlupa City (Landmark: Starking St. Muntinlupa)
Monday-Friday, 9-5
Contact: Sarah (09565970283) / Flora (09982123024)
Decathlon Branches:
Pasig - Tiendesitas, Ortigas Avenue corner E. Rodriguez Avenue (C5)
Alabang - Festival Mall Corporate Avenue Alabang, Muntinlupa
Masinag - 1870 Marikina-Infanta Hwy, Antipolo
Ayala UP Town Center:
Concierge Booth Phase 1A
Amphitheater
Garden area in front of Fully Booked
Daily, 11 AM to 8 PM
FB/IG: @iloveuptowncenter
Aksyon ng Kabataan Organization:
Chemical Alloy 227, Gen Ordonez St. cor Balagtas Parang, Marikina City
Contact: Alma Evangelista (09171363582)
Kalikhasan Eco-Friendly Solutions [for Merville residents]:
Casa Madrid, No. 2 Madrid Street, Merville, Parañaque
Monday-Saturday, 1 PM to 5 PM
Contact: Malou de Joya (09178356235)
Matenara Trading
Project 2, Quezon City [Pin: Basic Goods PH]
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 AM to 4 PM
Contact: Teena Ramoa (09272673594)
L'eau Vive:
1499 Paz Mendoza Guazon Ave., Paco Manila
Every MWF, 10 AM to 2PM
Contact: Francia Volante (09175403423)
Delichoice Inc.
Block 2, Lot 15, Greenwoods Avenue, Greenwoods Executive Village, Cainta
Open everyday, 7AM to 3PM
Contact: Rod Charlie Delos Reyes (09178746689)
SM Branches
Open everyday, 10AM to 5PM
- SM Mall of Asia
North MRF in front of One ECom, Sunset Ave - SM Megamall
RDU Supermarket Building B - SM North Edsa
Annex Building Driveway - SM Fairview
Between Terminal A and Open Parking B
Is there another way to donate?
Yes. If you can't go out of the house, The Plaf also offers another solution for those who are in Metro Manila. Through Home Flamingo, they will provide you with 1 or 2 trash bins and collect it once it is full. Just pay P500 upon the delivery of the bin, and another P500 every time you have it collected. Email them at [email protected] for more details.
What happens to the plastics I donated?
They turn it into recyclable plastic planks! The Plaf works together with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste on a project called Planks of Promise, which uses these recycled and recyclable plastic "eco" planks into emergency shelters for those who are affected by natural disasters in the Philippines.