Tarlac City is broadening its efforts to address waste management by turning recyclable materials into useful household goods through the new “Kalat to Kart” initiative. The program was unveiled by Mayor Susan Yap-Sulit during her State of the City Address, alongside other planned measures including a Drainage Master Plan, Tourism Development Master Plan, and Urban Greening Program.
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Recyclables Exchanged for Rice and Grocery Items
Under the expanded initiative, residents will be able to exchange recyclable materials for rice and grocery vouchers, giving households an added incentive to participate in waste collection while helping reduce the volume of garbage in the city.
“Kalat to Kart” builds on the earlier “Palit Bigas” program introduced when Yap-Sulit assumed office. The previous effort involved interested ventures collecting plastic bottles in exchange for rice, while a company was already available to take the plastic materials for recycling.
The program has already recorded significant participation. Since its launch, 100,000 kilos of plastic bottles have been collected, resulting in 50,000 kilos of rice being distributed to donors.
The revised program will expand the types of materials accepted beyond plastic bottles. Residents can also bring in recyclable glass, metals and paper products such as carton boxes in exchange for rice and grocery vouchers.
Yap-Sulit described the initiative as an example of how residents can participate directly in addressing the city's environmental concerns.
“It started with a simple concept, and we witnessed a movement of families who chose to become part of the solution,” she said.
The mayor also emphasized that the city's progress requires participation from residents and local communities, saying, “Every accomplishment this year has been a shared accomplishment. This is the city we are building, not for ourselves, but for every Tarlaqueño who will call this place home.”
Waste Management Supports a Greener Tarlac
The expanded recycling program comes as Tarlac continues to deal with increasing amounts of garbage, with observers noting that it could help address waste concerns amid funding challenges linked to the delayed approval of the city's 2026 annual budget.
Yap-Sulit connected the initiative with her administration's broader goal of creating a “walkable, green, and livable” community. The city's plans include strengthening drainage infrastructure, promoting tourism and expanding urban greening efforts.
The local government has also increased the frequency of garbage collection as part of efforts to improve solid waste management. Yap-Sulit reminded barangays of their responsibilities under RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
“We strengthened our solid waste management system [by] increasing the frequency of garbage collection. And so, I remind our barangays to perform their responsibilities to implement RA 9003 [or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act],” she added.
For ordinary Tarlaqueños, the program creates a practical reason to segregate and recycle while potentially providing rice and basic household items in return. Beyond Tarlac, initiatives that connect environmental responsibility with direct community benefits can demonstrate how local governments and residents can work together to reduce waste and build cleaner, more livable communities.
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