Iloilo City adopts smart, incentive-based recycling with Rezbin
The Iloilo City Government officially entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Rezbin Waste Technology Inc., further strengthening the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability and circular economy initiatives.
At no cost to the city government, 25 Rezbin Stations will be installed in strategic locations across Iloilo City, particularly in barangays and schools, to promote proper waste segregation, increase recycling, and encourage community participation through a technology-enabled, incentive-based recycling system.
The partnership supports the implementation of the project, “Closing the Loop: Inclusive and Tech-Enabled Plastic Collection for Sustainable Recycling,” under the EU-Green Economy Partnership with the Philippines.
Mayor Raisa Treñas, together with General Services Office Head Engr. Neil Ravena and Martin Cornelius Martirez, Co-Founder and Iloilo Site Manager of Rezbin Waste Technology Inc., signed the agreement at Iloilo City Hall on June 29, 2026.
Ravena said the initiative aims to create lasting behavioral change by encouraging residents, especially students, to develop proper waste disposal and segregation habits. Based on the agreement, the initiative aims to engage at least 7,500 users.
“Ang ginalagas namon is the side sang habitual, ang habit sang mga tawo or students nga ma-change namon ang behavior. Kay instead of throwing it, ibutang nila didto sa machine,” said Ravena.
Citizens who properly segregate and deposit recyclable materials at the Rezbin Stations can earn points or credits through the Rezbin app, which may be redeemed for rewards from participating partner businesses.
“We have, right now, over 500 brand partners nationwide. So people can just accumulate points and they can exchange this for discounts, vouchers,” said Martirez.
He said partner establishments accessible through the Rezbin app include fast-food restaurants, apartelles, health and wellness businesses, pharmacies, and various online platforms. The app also enables users to locate Rezbin Stations throughout the city.
“Through this we hope to incentivize people to properly segregate waste, that way we can also lessen the number of recyclable wastes we have thrown and then we can send it on to processing,” Martirez added, emphasizing that the initiative focuses on recyclable materials and not residual waste.
The partnership seeks to empower junk shops and waste collectors by strengthening their participation in the city’s recycling value chain. As part of the agreement, the Rezbin System will also be integrated as a livelihood program with the Uswag Calajunan Livelihood Association, which has been proposed as the project’s authorized collector.
With this, Iloilo City continues to advance sustainable development through innovation, community participation, and strategic partnerships that promote responsible waste management and strengthen the local circular economy. (Iloilo City PIO)
