Colgate-Palmolive Philippines President and General Manager Arvin Sachdev (left) and Pulilan Mayor Maria Rosario Ochoa-Montejo (right) cut the ribbon for the first of a series of “Wash & Brush Stations” for handwashing, Witnessing the event is Green AntzBuilders President and CEO Rommel Benig.
Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, Green Antz reach 1st milestone in plastic waste management initiative
COLGATE-Palmolive Philippines and Green Antz Builders are collaborating to divert plastic waste from the environment with their Closed Loop Plastic Waste Management Program in partnership with five local government units (LGUs) and 62 schools in Bulacan.
Green Antz is an innovative, visionary provider of building and housing solutions integrating eco-friendly practices and green technologies in its products and services, and is known for its eco-bricks, eco-pavers, and other materials composed in part of waste plastic sachets. The company’s tagline: “Creating Sustainability. Challenging Poverty. Now.”
Recently, Colgate-Palmolive Philippines led by President and General Manager Arvind Sachdev and Green Antz represented by President and CEO Rommel Benig reached the initial milestone of their plastic waste management program as they turned over the first of a series of “Wash & Brush Stations,” made in part of plastic sachet waste, to the municipality of Pulilan led by Mayor Maria Rosario Ochoa-Montejo.
The handwashing station, constructed with Green Antz eco-bricks and located at the Pulilan Public Market, was a joint effort with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office headed by Roberto Cruz, the Department of Education through District Supervisor Dr. Ana Liza Villanueva, and community members and organizations.
At the turnover, Montejo said safeguarding the environment is a major challenge to the LGU. “We cannot do it alone. But we do not despair. We are inspired by Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, by Green Antz, by our NGOs in Pulilan for putting the environment first. This is an advocacy. We are grateful for the help you are extending. Let us continue working hand in hand to preserve our surroundings and the planet,” she said.
“At Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, we are committed to help create a healthier and more sustainable future for everyone. We have pledged to allocate resources to divert plastic waste from landfills and oceans, towards our goal of helping eliminate plastic waste and recovering the equivalent amount of plastic we generate in the market.” said Arvind Sachdev.
“We welcome this partnership with Green Antz, the different LGUs of Bulacan, and the Department of Education as it not only helps to divert plastic waste but it also fulfills the advocacy of Colgate-Palmolive Philippines of educating our students and the community on proper waste management and instilling new behavior and understanding about environmental responsibility,” added Mr. Sachdev.
“By helping to collect plastic waste, we are able to make Wash & Brush Stations available to the schools and the community. These handwashing stations are most appropriate at this time to help inculcate proper hygiene and cleanliness within the community. This is only the start for us in our efforts to address plastic waste,” said Mr. Sachdev, who noted that some 18,000 discarded plastic sachets were used in the construction of the first handwashing station.
“We are also doing our part in providing every Filipino with more sustainable products like the biodegradable Colgate bamboo toothbrush, the recycle-ready Palmolive Shampoo sachets and Palmolive Soap cartons, and soon Colgate Toothpaste in recyclable tubes. This way we are increasing the acceptability of our products’ packaging in the recycling stream,” said Mr. Sachdev.
“At Green Antz, we are glad to share this simple milestone towards environmental sustainability. Even as a handwashing station is highly relevant in helping people to keep healthy during the pandemic, we can collaborate to transform waste into a resource of value. We are glad that more and more people are joining the Green movement. If we combine forces and help each other, we can successfully address the plastic waste crisis,” said Mr. Benig.
Apart from Pulilan, the Closed Loop Plastic Waste Management Program of Colgate-Palmolive Philippines and Green Antz Builders involves the LGUs of Baliwag, Malolos City, Plaridel, and San Ildefonso, and more than five dozen schools where plastic waste is collected, then is processed into eco-bricks and used to construct handwashing stations.
