Press Release
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) became the first bank in the country to install a reverse vending machine (RVM) in the workplace—reinforcing its dedication to environmental responsibility and its drive to integrate sustainable practices into everyday operations.
The RVM is the main tool for BPI’s ‘Turn Waste into Points‘ program, which rewards employees and guests for recycling plastic and aluminum waste, encouraging active participation in the bank’s sustainability initiative.
Located at The Fifth in BPI Buendia Center (BBC), Makati City, the RVM accepts clean, empty PET bottles and aluminum cans (with labels intact). In return, employees and guests earn BPI Rewards Points which can be tracked and redeemed for vouchers through the VYBE by BPI app.
“This initiative is a reflection of how we walk the talk when it comes to sustainability,” said Cathy Santamaria, BPI Chief Customer and Marketing Officer. “We are encouraging every BPI employee and guest to make recycling a habit—by making it simple, convenient, and rewarding.”
The RVM, supplied by Spurway Enterprises, helps users recycle while supporting BPI’s waste management program. The collected recyclables will be sold to recycling facilities, where they will be processed and upcycled into products such as t-shirts, eco-bricks, chairs, and tables.
Currently, PET bottle waste generated at BBC is estimated at 20 kilograms monthly—or about 500 pieces of 500ml bottles—all of which would typically take 450 to 1,000 years to decompose. Through this initiative, BPI aims to divert a significant portion of that volume away from landfills and into a circular economy model.
The ‘Turn Waste Into Points’ campaign will run until September 24, 2025, reflecting BPI’s ongoing commitment to sustainability by encouraging individuals to make small, meaningful actions that contribute to a more sustainable future.