(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 01 December 2024) Northeast Monsoon affecting Eastern section of Northern Luzon. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Tuesday, 9 January 2024

Caraga State U students use online tools in ‘trash for cash’ venture

By Renelle Escuadro

Students from Caraga State University in Butuan City have ventured into business by opening an online junk shop to aid in solid waste management initiatives in the region.

The venture, called ScrapCycle, was Caraga region’s champion and national finalist in the 7th Philippine Startup Challenge, spearheaded by the ICT Industry Development Bureau of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The young innovators put into reality the core of their business proposal in the said competition by finally launching a mobile application, ScrapCycle, where residents of Butuan City can trade their trash for cash.

Trash for cash

The ScrapCycle mobile app is available in Google Play Store for Android devices, while for iOS users, they may use the Google Collection Schedule Form.  As of to date, this has over 1,000 downloads, positive online reviews, and a current rating of 5.0.

Residents and business establishments in Butuan City appreciated ScrapCycle for their ttimely collection of their recyclables and the opportuity to earn extra money. (Photo courtesy to ScrapCycle)

With no minimum load, the free pick-up and collection vehicle accepts plastics, glass, metals, paper, cardboard, empty polyethylene terephthalate and glass bottles, and electronic wastes, where the seller has the option to receive payment through GCash payment facility or in real-time cash during the collection process.

It's user-friendly 

ScrapCycle offers three-easy steps of selling recyclables and getting paid instantly, to wit:

Step 1- Segregate and clean your recyclables:

Gather Recyclables:

§   Collect recyclables in one place.

§  Remove non-recyclable items.

Sort by type:

§  Separate materials into categories (glass, plastic, metals, batteries, and e-waste).

Clean up:

§   Wipe off food and oil residues.

§  Rinse containers and bottles.

Check and remove:

§  Inspect for contaminants.

§  Remove anything not recyclable.

Step 2-  Book waste collection schedule

§  Download ScrapCycle application Google Play Store.

§  Open the app and select "Book New."

§  Choose your preferred collection day.

§  Fill in the necessary information.

§  Confirm your location and recycling details.

Step 3-  Get paid on collection day

§  On the scheduled day, have your prepared recyclables ready for pickup.

§  Our ScrapCycle collector will arrive at your doorstep.

§  Hand over your recyclables, and the collector will weigh and verify them.

§  Receive your payment instantly.

Meanwhile, Kim Beronggoy, who availed of the services of ScrapCycle, shared her experience, stating, “Very timely kaayu ni siya nga initiative kay at least ba magamit ang mga recyclables. Nahinlo ang among area ug naka-kwarta pami [This is a timely initiative to recycle. Our place is now clean, and we even earn money].”

Tina Mante, another resident of the city, expressed her appreciation for the project rollout. She said, “Maayo ang serbisyo sa ScrapCycle. Okay kaayo ang pricing. [The service is good. The price is also right].”

The Philippine Startup Challenge is an annual accolade that aims to encourage and support Filipinos, especially higher education students, to create innovative and relevant information, communication, and technology (ICT) products and services that may potentially develop into viable business ventures as well as solve social problems. ScrapCycle served as a living testimony. (RLE,PIA-Caraga)