Clark Freeport—The Clark Development Corporation earned P1.2 million from the sale of scrap consisting of worn- out vehicle batteries, recyclable materials and hazardous wastes during a bidding held in this freeport.
At least 74 scrap buyers participated in the 25th Recyclables and Hazadous Waste Collection Event witnessed by representatives from the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
CDC-Environmental Permits Division Manager Rogelio Magat said the event was the highest grossing RHWCE since it first started in June 2003.
Among the biggest haul in this year’s recyclable collection event were the 1,462 pieces of used lead-acid batteries worth over P515,000 followed by acid, alkali wastes and organic solvent about 26,830 kg worth over P276,000.
Magat also said that 12,057 pieces of busted fluorescent lamps worth about P120,000, 75 kg of inks, dyes and paint sludge worth P2,400, and some 5,558 liters of used oil worth P51,000.
Other waste products such as used waste tires, grease trap waste, oil-contaminated materials and electronic wastes and special wastes were also collected during the event.
“The recyclables event has been a resounding success. This has been the top-grossing event that we have conducted since its inception. We hope to learn from the safety strategies we’ve tested, and implement them in future iterations,” he said.
CDC-EPD has also expanded the event’s collection coverage by including acid and alkali wastes, inks and paints and tires. Scheduled pickups for bulk collection were also arranged for the safety and convenience of other participants.
Magat, who is also the president of the EPA, is committed to keeping Clark an environmentally sustainable zone even during the pandemic.
“Extending the event to three days allows us to ensure the health and safety of our service providers and locators, as well as giving them ample time to plan for recyclables,” Magat said.