The Department of Home Economics Education (DHEEd) of the College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines Diliman conducted a recycling collection drive in celebration of World Home Economics Day 2023 from March 21 to 31 with the theme “Waste Literacy”. The aim of the drive was to collect common waste products including PET bottles, online shopping plastic packaging, and fabric or textiles for recycling.
The activity supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #12, which promotes sustainable consumption patterns for the sustainability of present and future livelihoods. To raise awareness about this cause, guidelines and information about the importance of recycling materials were posted on each collection bin.
The drive was a success and resulted in the collection of:
- 6 boxes of plastic bottles
- 3 boxes of online shopping plastic packaging
- 7 boxes of used clothes and fabric scraps
These collected materials were donated to selected social organizations that advocate sustainability: Green Antz and H&M Garment Collecting Program for the plastic and fabric wastes, respectively. Green Antz is a group that develops solutions to reduce waste by upcycling various waste products into construction materials, infrastructure, and agricultural solutions. On the other hand, H&M’s Garment Collecting program encourages consumers to drop off any unwanted clothing or textile at any H&M store to be sorted into three categories: re-wear, reuse, or recycle.
DHEEd primarily promoted the drive through its Facebook page and plans to continue this project to encourage more individuals and organizations to take part in creating a more sustainable future. The unit believes that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the planet, and is committed to doing its part.