In a major step toward a waste-free future, Nestlé Philippines and Robinsons Supermarket, with the support of Robinsons Malls, have partnered with Restore Solutions PH to deploy 10 high-tech reverse vending machines across select branches in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Known as Smart Eco-llection Bins (SEBs), these machines provide consumers with a practical, interactive, and rewarding solution for disposing of post-consumer plastic sachets. To close the loop on waste, the collected sachets will be processed by Restore Solutions PH and upcycled into eco-friendly “Restore Boards,” which are durable materials used to manufacture furniture such as chairs and benches.
The initiative marks a landmark collaboration in the local retail and manufacturing sectors, creating a seamless, end-to-end circular economy framework.
“This starts the value chain of circularity with Nestlé as the manufacturer, Robinsons Supermarket as the retailer, and Restore as the upcycler,” said Jose Uy III, Nestlé Philippines SVP & Head of Corporate Affairs. “It’s not just about collection, but also about changing social behavior by providing a convenient and rewarding way for our consumers to participate in responsible waste management.”
Designed with consumer convenience in mind, shoppers can deposit clean and dry plastic sachets into the SEBs to earn “Ecobin points,” which can be tracked and redeemed for exciting rewards. To participate, users simply need to create an account via the digital Ecobin Portal. As an added incentive, depositing Nestlé-branded sachets yields bonus points, with additional milestone rewards currently in development to encourage long-term habit formation.
The SEBs are currently rolled out and ready for public use at Robinsons Supermarket branches in Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Ermita, Robinsons Metroeast, and Robinsons Townville Regalado, with more locations to be announced soon.
This initiative represents the first time reverse vending machines of this nature have been integrated into a major Philippine supermarket chain.
“We are proud to be the retail partner of choice for this,” said Paul Bayan, Sustainability Manager of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. “As retailers, we play a pivotal role in advocating for waste management and driving the transition toward a truly circular economy.”
Maricar Catubay, Division Merchandise Manager of Robinsons Supermarket, emphasized the role of the everyday shopper in environmental conservation: “Caring for the environment requires a collective and deliberate effort… Through this program, our customers are empowered to shop for their needs while also helping protect the environment—something that we can all agree is just an essential.”
For Nestlé Philippines, the deployment of SEBs aligns with its broader net-zero commitments. The company has a proven track record in plastic neutrality, having successfully collected and responsibly diverted an equivalent volume of plastic packaging from the market two years before the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act officially lapsed into Philippine law.
Furthermore, Nestlé Philippines continues to collaborate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the National Plastics Action Partnership to unlock sustainable infrastructure and circular solutions specifically tailored for soft and flexible plastics.
Building on the results of this pilot program, Nestlé Philippines and its partners aim to scale the sachet collection system across more retail environments, transforming hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable resources and shaping a more sustainable future for the country.
