Nestlé, Robinsons Launch Sachet Recycling Machines
Reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and innovation, Nestlé Philippines has partnered with Robinsons Supermarket to deploy reverse vending machines for plastic sachets, providing consumers with a convenient way to participate in recycling efforts while supporting the country’s transition to a circular economy.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with Restore Solutions PH and supported by Robinsons Malls, will initially install 10 Smart Eco-llection Bins (SEBs) in select Robinsons Supermarket branches across the National Capital Region. The machines allow consumers to deposit used sachets in exchange for reward points, creating an incentive-based system for responsible waste disposal.
Collected sachets will be processed and transformed into Restore Boards, an alternative construction material used to manufacture furniture such as chairs and benches, extending the life cycle of plastic packaging that would otherwise end up in landfills or waterways.
Nestlé Philippines Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs Jose Uy III said the collaboration demonstrates how manufacturers, retailers and recycling innovators can work together to address plastic waste challenges.
“This initiative starts the value chain of circularity, with Nestlé as the manufacturer, Robinsons Supermarket as the retailer, and Restore as the upcycler,” Uy said. “Beyond collection, the program seeks to encourage behavioral change by making waste recovery more convenient and rewarding for consumers.”
The project forms part of Nestlé Philippines’ broader sustainability and net-zero commitments. The company said it currently recovers and responsibly diverts an amount of plastic equivalent to the volume it introduces into the market through its packaging portfolio.
Nestlé also noted that it had already achieved compliance with the Philippines’ Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements before the EPR Act took effect. The company is likewise working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the National Plastics Action Partnership to develop scalable solutions and infrastructure for managing soft and flexible plastics.
For Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., the partnership represents a significant step in advancing retail-led sustainability initiatives.
According to Sustainability Manager Paul Bayan, the project marks the first deployment of reverse vending machines within a major supermarket chain in the Philippines.
“As retailers, we play a critical role in promoting responsible waste management and helping accelerate the transition toward a circular economy,” Bayan said.
Under the program, shoppers can deposit clean and dry sachets into the SEBs and earn Ecobin points through the Ecobin Portal. Additional rewards are available for Nestlé-branded sachets, while further incentives are being developed to encourage broader consumer participation.
The first batch of machines has been installed in Robinsons Supermarket branches at Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Metro East, and Robinsons Townville Regalado, with additional locations expected in the coming months.
Maricar Catubay, Division Merchandise Manager of Robinsons Supermarket, said consumer participation will be key to the program’s long-term success.
“Caring for the environment requires a collective effort from businesses, partners and consumers alike. Through this initiative, customers can contribute to environmental protection while carrying out their everyday shopping activities,” she said.
Flexible plastic packaging, including sachets, remains among the most challenging waste streams to recover and recycle due to limited collection infrastructure and low recycling value. Initiatives that integrate collection systems into retail networks could help improve recovery rates while supporting compliance with EPR regulations and broader circular economy goals.
Building on the pilot rollout, Nestlé Philippines and its partners aim to expand the program, further engage consumers in responsible waste management, and establish a scalable retail-based collection system for hard-to-recycle plastics as part of their long-term vision of a waste-free future.
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