Leading fiber internet and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has taken a stand against plastic pollution as it recently launched its #BawalAngPlastik (or #NoToPlastic) campaign, urging its employees to opt for more eco-friendly materials at work to gradually eliminate plastics from its waste footprint.
This is the second phase of its Countdown to Zero Waste movement, its company-wide initiative to reach its goal of zero solid waste to landfill by 2030.
During the campaign launch, Converge Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer Benjamin Azada said that as a signatory of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), Converge is committed to ensure that its operations would not cause harm to the environment.
“If we want to respect humanity and the environment, one of the things that we really need to do is reduce the negative impact that we have on people and the planet,” Azada said.
As part of this campaign, plastic bottle bins were installed at Converge headquarters in Pasig to encourage employees to donate their plastic bottles and containers which will be upcycled into sustainable materials through the company’s recycling partners such as GreenAntz Builders Inc., which is an accredited plastics recycling company of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The #BawalAngPlastik launch was made even more exciting as Converge FiberXers forward Kris Porter and guard Adrian Wong joined for a one minute “Basketbottle” shoot out with employees. Team Wong snagged the victory with 12 points during the 30-second overtime.
Converge leaders and FiberXers players enjoin employees to bring their used bottles to be recycled. (From L-R: FiberXers Guard Adrian Wong, SVP and Head of Human Resources Albert Custodio, VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer Benjamin Azada, VP for Strategy and Sustainability Bryan King Kay, and FiberXers Forward Kris Porter.)
Converge VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado said that the campaign is the company’s way to help in mitigating the negative impacts of plastic consumption to the environment, especially to marine biodiversity.
“It is alarming that the Philippines is now among the world’s biggest contributors to plastic pollution. And the situation is pretty dire. Studies have shown that, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish at sea if we don’t act now,” Encarnado said.
Amplifying this message further, SVP and Head of Human Resources Albert Custodio encouraged employees to embody the company’s sustainability commitments even outside Converge to help create positive ripple effects within their respective communities.
“It starts with one person, one family, one community. And here at work, it starts with us, our colleagues, and teammates,” Custodio said.
Last year, Converge launched the Countdown to Zero Waste campaign as a response to the country’s looming solid waste crisis.
In line with this movement, zero waste bins were placed in its headquarters and business centers nationwide where employees and customers could drop their discarded waste electrical and electronic equipment, or e-waste, for proper treatment and disposal through Converge partners Jontrix Trading and Green Antz.
Converge also started upcycling its used tarpaulins into reusable items like bags and mats with the help of women-led social enterprise KREations PH.
“We have an obligation to our younger generation to give them a good future and give them the earth, the same way we have enjoyed it. To save the world, it is really a collective effort from all of us as citizens of the world, and as citizens of Converge,” concluded Converge VP and Head of Program Management and Change Integration Bryan King Kay.
The #BawalAngPlastik launch capped off the fun and knowledge-filled Sustainability Week last June 9, 2023.