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.
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| 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)
