Davao city: The BSP Employees Association Inc. (BSPEAI) has initiated a unique sustainability project by donating armchairs made from recycled Philippine polymer banknotes deemed unfit for circulation. This effort is part of their broader community development initiatives.

According to Philippines News Agency, close to a hundred armchairs were donated to Do±a Pilar L. Marfori Elementary School in Davao City on July 22. The ceremonial turnover was led by BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan, BSP Mindanao Regional Office Officer-in-Charge Jason Capocao, BSPEAI President Brent Lucero, and Director Eloisa Glindro of the Currency Policy and Integrity Department.

The Banknote-to-Armchair Project aims to repurpose unfit polymer banknotes and manufacturing byproducts into durable classroom armchairs. This is achieved through a collaboration between BSPEAI and Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc., a private recycling company. Tangonan noted the importance of the lifecycle management of polymer banknotes, indicating that their design incorporates end-of-life management.

Lucero highlighted that the selection of the beneficiary school was based on a thorough assessment of needs and priorities. The BSP emphasized the advantages of polymer banknotes, citing their durability and cleanliness compared to paper banknotes. From 2022 to May 2026, only 0.02 percent of the 1000-peso polymer banknotes were returned as worn-out or damaged, while 54.75 percent of the paper equivalents were returned during the same period.

The BSP also mentioned that, to date, no lower denomination unfit polymer banknotes have been returned since their initial issuance in December 2024.