Aling Tindera and Mondelēz International open two new plastic collection sites

Mondelēz International in the Philippines, in collaboration with its partners PCX Markets, HOPE, Barangay BF Homes, and SM Cares, is proud to announce the launch of two new Aling Tindera sites in Barangay BF Homes and SM City Sucat.

Mondelēz International is the maker of beloved brands, such as Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk, and Toblerone. The Aling Tindera, a flagship initiative by impact organization HOPE, is a pioneering waste-to-cash initiative that provides communities with opportunities to earn additional income by collecting and exchanging plastic waste for cash at the sites.

This new action aligns with the snack company’s commitment to its Sustainable Snacking strategy, which focuses on reducing environmental impact while promoting responsible consumption.

The initiative holds particular significance as it directly benefits the local communities of Parañaque, where Mondelēz International has been present for the past 62 years. It highlights the importance of grassroots engagement and collaboration.

Empowering sustainable practices

The Aling Tindera Program plays a vital role in diverting plastic waste from the environment while educating the public on responsible waste management practices. At each site, residents are encouraged to bring their collected plastic waste from home in exchange for cash.

By establishing these sites, Mondelēz International and its partners aim to inspire behavior change and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.

“We believe that sustainability starts at the grassroots level. By expanding the Aling Tindera program in Parañaque, we are helping address a pressing environmental challenge while fostering positive change within the communities we call home,” said Caitlin Punzalan, Corporate and Government Affairs lead at Mondelēz International.

“The biggest challenge in plastic waste collection is knowing where the waste can be brought so that it is properly diverted and does not end up as landfill or marine litter. We hope these new sites will help build the habit of collecting plastic waste in homes to give them new life and to avoid ending up in nature.”

Purpose-driven milestones

In 2024, Mondelēz International also achieved key sustainability milestones, including attaining the PCX Market’s Plastic Cleanup Partner badge. This certification reflects the company's ongoing commitment to reducing plastic waste in the Philippines including its extensive support for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law.

Since 2023, the company has pledged to collect the equivalent amount of the plastic packaging it puts out in the market and divert it from nature. This commitment goes beyond the percentage targets required by the EPR Law.

“We welcome and fully support the Aling Tindera site in our barangay,” BF Homes Barangay Captain Jeremy Marquez shared. “Our environmental protection team has already made it a priority project for 2025 and we will continue to leverage these sites to ensure plastic waste is collected in our community and this action helps provide a livelihood for our citizens.”

The successful establishment of the new collection sites underscores the importance of collaboration between businesses, local governments, and community members. Mondelēz International and its partners remain dedicated to driving innovative solutions that create shared value for people and the planet.

This article was originally published here in the Philippine Star Life.