Ilocos norte: The local government unit (LGU) in this town, through its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, has launched Project Rice, a mobile recycling initiative that aims to encourage waste segregation by offering rice as an incentive. The project is designed to promote environmental protection and engage residents in sustainable practices.

According to Philippines News Agency, Environment Officer Jay-Arr Tiguiamo stated that the program motivates residents to bring recyclable materials, such as dry packs, PET bottles, soft plastics, tetra packs, including caps and rings, to designated collection points in each barangay on a quarterly rotation. In exchange, residents receive rice, with 30 points or 3 kilograms of plastic bottles or assorted plastic wrappers equating to 1 kilogram of rice.

Tiguiamo emphasized that the program aligns with Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and Municipal Ordinance No. 2021-002, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Code. These regulations mandate waste reduction through measures like segregation, recycling, and composting. He noted that the initiative has effectively heightened public awareness regarding proper waste segregation.

Residents are reminded to only submit dried, cleaned, and compressed snack pouches, dried packaging, and plastic bottles for the program. Items such as aluminum tin cans, carton and paper products, tires, glass materials, PVC materials, tarpaulins, and electronic waste are excluded from the initiative.