Food

Almost 2,200 sari-sari establishments and carinderias in Metro Manila now accept empty PET bottles for recycling from customers. In addition to extending the life of these bottles, the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM): Balik PET Bottle Program of Coca-Cola Philippines and Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) provides cash incentives for store owners.

Promoting environmental sustainability while earning incentives

How does this operate? Empty bottles and cans can be easily dropped off for recycling at TEM collection boxes, which are placed in front of sari-sari stores and carinderias. PET bottles are weighed at each store after collection, and the results are entered into the store owner’s bXTRA app account. Retailers receive points based on how many bottles they buy in a given month, which they may then redeem for cash back. Customers have the option to cash out their points or use them to purchase Coca-Cola goods and items.

“Malaking tulong sa amin ‘tong programa, kaya salamat talaga sa Coca-Cola. Kumikita na kami, nakatutulong pa kami sa kalikasan (We are grateful to Coca-Cola because this program is a big help to us. We are earning while also helping the environment),” said Carolina Catimbang, a store owner in Brgy. West Bicutan. 

When asked about her inspiration in joining the TEM Program, Lolita Repia, another store owner, shared, “Ang naging inspirasyon ko sa pagsali sa programa ay ang pag-recycle. Ginagawa ko na ‘yun dati pa, nagbebenta ako ng mga bote sa junk shop (My inspiration for joining the program is recycling. I’ve been doing that for a while; I sell bottles directly to junk shops). 

“Pero ngayon, mas excited akong gawin ito dahil alam kong ‘yung mga bote na kinokolekta ko, magiging bote ulit. Masaya akong nakakatulong sa kapaligiran (But now, I’m more excited to do this because I know that the bottles I collect will become bottles again. I am happy to contribute to the environment), she added. 

Inspiring collective action toward recycling 

“Noong una sinasabihan namin ‘yung mga bumibili dito na kapag bumili sila ng Coke products, itapon nila ‘yung PET bottles sa bins. Ngayon, automatic na, eh (At first, we used to tell our customers that when they buy Coke products, they should throw the PET bottles into the bins. Now, it’s automatic),” shared Catimbang who noticed the easy cooperation of their customers in their recycling efforts. 

“Kahit ‘yung jeepney drivers na customer namin, ‘yung trash nila, minsan sila na rin nagkukusang maglagay sa bins. Kaya minsan nagugulat ako, ang dami na (Even the jeepney drivers, who are our customers, willingly put their trash in the bins. That’s why sometimes I get surprised that our bins are filled with empty bottles),” she added. 

For PASCO National President Elilyn Gadia and National Treasurer Emma Alvarez, the TEM Program help adults become better examples to children. “Dapat nakikita ng mga bata sa mga magulang nila ‘yung pag-segregate ng basura at paglilinis ng kapaligiran. Natutuwa kami ‘pag may nakikita silang PET bottle sa daan, pinupulot nila (Children should see their parents segregating waste and cleaning their surroundings. We are happy to see children picking up empty bottles on the road). 

Gadia and Alvarez said they are happy to see TEM Program members growing with the help of Coca-Cola Philippines, especially as sari-sari stores and carinderia owners continue to recover from the income loss during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For 2024, Coca-Cola Philippines announces that it is expanding the Tindahan Extra Mile program to 2,400 stores.  

“We are one with Coca-Cola Philippines in ensuring that our bottles can have many lives by bringing our collected PET Bottles from Sari-Sari Stores to PETValue Philippines, a first of its kind,” said Jan Vincent Mercado, Senior Vice President for Business Development of BEST. “Our commitment to sustainability and waste innovation comes full circle through this partnership. Indeed, it is refreshing to walk the talk in circularity,” he added. 

In September 2023, Coca-Cola Philippines launched its consumer engagement program, ‘May Ikabobote Pa’, to educate, inspire, and engage more consumers to return their empty bottles and cans so they can be recycled and turned into new materials. Through this, the company hopes to inspire behavior change among consumers and empower like-minded organizations and communities to continue working together to prevent plastic waste from ending up in places where they are not supposed to be. 

In an effort to promote the circularity of plastic packaging, Coca-Cola Philippines unveiled new PET bottles that are entirely recycled. Wilkins Pure (500ml), Sprite (500ml), and Coca-Cola Original (190ml) are currently carrying this innovative container. Since these bottles may be recycled numerous times, less virgin plastic is produced and utilized overall.

Through the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub, customers can find the closest collection locations and learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ recycling programs.

The Rizal Park Hotel is inviting guests to an amazing New Year’s Eve Countdown at its rooftop bar, The Deck, on December 31, 2023, from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Get ready to ring in 2024 with a BANG in the heart of Manila. To guarantee a remarkable start to 2024, the hotel has planned an immersive experience and activities for guests of all ages.

The Upper Deck costs P2,500, while the Lower Deck costs P2,000. Access to the exciting New Year’s Eve celebration and countdown, a welcome drink, lively party favors, free sparklers, a lottery entry for thrilling prizes, and a delicious Media Noche buffet to sate appetites are all included with each ticket.

For P2,000, a child’s ticket gets them entry to the exciting countdown and party, a welcome drink (choice of chocolate, strawberry, or orange juice), and exclusive access to the kids’ area for extra entertainment. They also have the right to a media buffet dinner and raffle entry.

Highlights of the evening’s entertainment include a live band, a countdown, and an amazing fireworks show that features the Manila skyline.

The Rizal Park Hotel is offering a New Year’s Eve room package from December 31, 2023, to January 1, 2024, as the year comes to an end. For P18,000, you may get two tickets to The Deck’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party, an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room, and a New Year’s Brunch buffet for two.

Tickets for the New Year’s Countdown can be obtained by calling or messaging 09276687839. Call 09176571334, for reservations and questions about rooms.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/RizalParkHotel and https://www.instagram.com/rizalparkhotel1911/ to learn more about the Rizal Park Hotel and its amenities.

The Rizal Park Hotel cordially welcomes visitors to embrace the spirit of celebration as the holiday season progresses, providing a variety of experiences ranging from delicious dining options to alluring room packages meant to bring happiness and make enduring memories. Families can enjoy the warmth of companionship at the hotel’s holiday Christmas Buffet among the holiday atmosphere. A touch of enchantment is added with the unique presence of the Gingerbread Man and Elves at the P1799 Christmas lunch feast on December 24 and 25. Families can also participate in a fun activity that involves decorating gingerbread cookies. An exquisite way to celebrate 2024 is to check out the Brunch Buffet at P2000, available from 11 AM to 3 PM on New Year’s Day at the Rizal Park Hotel.

The Rizal Park Hotel is pleased to provide its new Take-Out Specials for those who would rather enjoy a meal at home. For P2200, savor baby back ribs together with sides of corn muffins, coleslaw, and baked beans. Peking Duck (P4,388 ++), Suckling Pig (P12,800 ++), Kesong Puti and Itlog na Maalat (P190), Cream Cheese (P170), Ensaymada specialties with unique flavors of Ube and Cheese (P170), and Liver Pate (P350) with Baguette Crisps (P120) are some of the other options.

Guests seeking an extended celebration can opt for the Christmas Family Room Package, valid until December 31, 2023, offering an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room, breakfast buffet for four at Café Rizal, and a dinner buffet for four at Café Rizal—all for P15,000.

As the year transitions, the New Year’s Eve Room Package, from December 31, 2023, to January 01, 2024, presents an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room, two tickets to the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at The Deck, and a New Year’s Brunch buffet for two, priced at P18,000. Ring in the New Year at The Deck with the New Year’s Countdown event from 9 PM to 1 AM. Options include Upper Deck at P2,500 and Lower Deck at P2,000, both offering access to the party and countdown, one drink, party favors, sparklers, a raffle entry, and a delectable Media Noche buffet. Children can also revel in their own celebration at P2,000 with their own entertainment at the kids corner. For tickets, call or message on Viber at 09276687839.

The Rizal Park Hotel will help you celebrate the holidays in style. Call 09177113926 for takeout specials and buffet bookings. Call 09176571334, for reservations and questions about rooms.

Follow https://www.facebook.com/RizalParkHotel and https://www.instagram.com/rizalparkhotel1911/ for more information about the Rizal Park Hotel and its amenities.

Coca-Cola Philippines makes great strides toward environmental sustainability by the end of 2023 and is even more determined to pick up speed in 2024. In order to reach its World Without Waste goals, the company strengthened its efforts this year and introduced “May Ikabobote Pa,” a brand-led campaign designed to encourage customers to recycle more. Developing alliances with groups that are dedicated to promoting a circular economy for plastic packaging is one way to do this.

The Coca-Cola Corporation also launched its 2030 Water Security Strategy, with the goal of having 175 locations worldwide utilize 100% circular water. In addition, the company intends to collaborate with groups that share its values in order to improve the condition of sixty important watersheds and restore two trillion liters of water to communities and the environment between 2021 and 2030.

“We are grateful for all our projects this year, which demonstrate our dedication to conducting our business more sustainably and empowering the communities where we operate and serve,” said Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines. “We recognize our responsibility to continue making a positive impact in communities and the environment and acknowledge that we still have a long way to go and that we cannot do this alone. We encourage everyone to join us in these efforts.”

Advancing a circular economy on plastic packaging

Coca-Cola Philippines took another significant step toward a circular economy for plastic packaging by introducing more bottles made from 100% recycled PET plastic (rPET), excluding caps and labels. In September this year, the company introduced rPET packaging for Coca-Cola Original in 190ml and 390ml and Wilkins Pure in 500ml, in addition to Sprite 500ml, which was introduced in 2019.

The announcement came on top of the launch of “May Ikabobote Pa,” the company’s new consumer engagement initiative aiming to inform and engage consumers about the actions they can take to recycle their empty plastic bottles. 

“May Ikabobote Pa” is brought to life by new rPET labels featuring a call to action, ‘Recycle Me Again,’ and a QR code that directs users to the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub. This hub provides information about the company’s recycling program, including a map displaying the locations of over 2,800 recycling drop-off points across the country, in collaboration with more than 60 partners. The hub also provides relevant updates on the company’s waste management initiatives. Moreover, “May Ikabobote Pa” offers enhanced consumer recycling experiences, digital-led communications, and partnerships within selected 7-Eleven and Shel outlets.

Leveraging partnerships for effective waste collection and capacity building

Since the launch of The Coca-Cola Company’s World Without Waste global strategy in 2018, Coca-Cola Philippines has formed strategic alliances with the government, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to help establish a circular economy for plastic packaging in the country.

One of the company’s goals is to make recycling easier and more accessible for consumers by expanding its over 2,800 recycling drop-off points across the country through increased partnerships with like-minded organizations and institutions. This includes enabling the participation of micro-entrepreneurs, particularly carinderias and sari-sari stores, through the Tapon to Ipon and Tindahan Extra Mile Balik PET Bottle programs. Both programs help create a community-backed circular economy for plastic packaging while promoting economic empowerment among micro-retailers. 

For 2024, the company aims to expand the number of its partner carinderias and sari-sari stores to 2,400 in Metro Manila and nearby areas. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Philippines’ bottling arm, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBPI), has inaugurated over 700 Tapon to Ipon store hubs in 170 cities and municipalities across the country. CCBPI has also partnered with the provincial governments of Iloilo, Davao del Sur, and Camiguin for the large-scale collection of recyclable plastic bottles.

Coca-Cola Philippines also helps improve the welfare of informal waste sector workers by supporting the work of social entrepreneur Plastic Bank. Since 2021, the partnership has so far activated 38 waste collection locations and 651 collection community members in the South Luzon area which has resulted in the collection of 546,000 kilograms of post-consumer bottles for recycling.

Helping preserve and improve water resources

In the Philippines and around the world, people are experiencing the impact of a warming planet through changes in water—from floods to droughts to rising temperatures in oceans. These changes adversely affect farming communities, create challenges in food production, and make it difficult for hundreds of communities to access safe and clean water for drinking and sanitation.

With a presence in more than 200 countries and territories, The Coca-Cola Company recognizes its responsibility to protect local water resources and help people who live in places that face water scarcity. Coca-Cola gives priority to communities near its facilities, urban hubs where its products are sold, and rural farming areas where it sources and grows its ingredients.

In the Philippines, Coca-Cola champions water security through efficient water use in manufacturing, improving watershed health, and helping communities access safe and clean water. 

Bottling partner CCBPI has improved its national water use efficiency across 18 manufacturing plants throughout the country through stringent water-saving initiatives. From 2015 to 2022, CCBPI saved approximately 11 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to about 4,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines prioritizes nature-based solutions as a way to conserve watersheds using natural processes such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Coca-Cola Philippines works with over 25 partners around the country through the Foundation to restore communities and the environment using the same quantity of water used to produce finished goods. In the most affected communities, this partnership seeks to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities.

“The Coca-Cola Company has been in the Philippines for the past 111 years. We stay true to our company’s purpose of refreshing the world while making a difference through loved brands, done sustainably, for a better-shared future,” said del Rosario. “As we look ahead, we are dedicated to serving Filipino consumers their favorite beverage brands and building a thriving and sustainable business that will endure for many more years.”

Visit coca-cola.com/ph/en to learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines and its initiatives, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.