The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Center was honored with the “Best Ecological Solid Waste Management Practices Award” at the Environmental Summit 2025 held on August 29 at Widus Hotel, Clark, Pampanga.

Organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)–Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Central Luzon, the summit carried the theme “Ending Global Plastic Pollution,” recognizing champions of environmental protection and sustainable initiatives.

Ecology Center Officer-in-Charge Rossell Abuyo said the award affirms SBMA’s strong commitment to responsible waste management in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
“This recognition highlights our outstanding solid waste enforcement and implementation efforts,” she noted.

Among its flagship programs is the Recyclables Collection Event (RCE), held twice a year. During the 16th RCE, SBMA gathered hazardous wastes such as used oil, electronic and electrical waste, lead acid batteries, oily water, cooking oil, busted bulbs, expired medicines, sharps, and contaminated containers.

The event also collected common recyclables like paper, cartons, PET bottles, slippers, tin cans, aluminum, copper, and other metals. A total of 10,669.74 kilograms of recyclable materials were gathered from 142 donors, including SBMA departments, Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) companies, and local residents.

To further strengthen its waste management initiatives, SBMA also launched Recycling Day in July 2024, held every Saturday across Subic Bay Freeport housing areas, including Binictican, Kalayaan, and Cubi.

“Efficient management of our solid waste is also an adaptation strategy to help combat climate change. Championing waste management is one of the pillars to achieve our goal of a carbon-neutral Subic Bay Freeport,” Abuyo added.