April 27, 2024
Turning Trash into Treasure: Tzu Chi’s Eco-Friendly Initiatives Post-Earth Day Run
By Ben Baquilod
Following the success of Runrio’s Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run on April 21 at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds, the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines continues to fulfill its role as its advocacy partner by recycling and upcycling the hundreds of kilos of trash collected from the running event.
In addition to selling sustainable products such as fresh fruits, veggie sandwiches, and upcycled items, Tzu Chi volunteers collected empty PET bottles and fruit peels, which are now being put to good use at Tzu Chi’s recycling station. The clean portions of 242 kilograms of banana fruit peels are currently being processed by Tzu Chi volunteers to make eco-enzyme, while the remaining portions will be used for composting.
Eco-enzyme is a multipurpose liquid produced from the fermentation of organic waste. After washing, cleaning, and chopping the banana peels, Tzu Chi volunteers mix 3 units of banana peels with 1 unit of sugar. This mixture is then placed into a closed container and supplemented with 10 units of water. After three to four months, the eco-enzyme will be ready for use.
As an organization that actively promotes environmental protection, Tzu Chi has been making eco-enzyme, and the Earth Day Run became an opportunity to spread this practice to more people. “Here at Tzu Chi, we have lots of fruit peels, and instead of throwing it away, we thought of using them to make eco-enzyme,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Hilario Velasquez.
It is mainly used as a cleaning solution. Enzymes in eco-enzymes break down organic matter like grease, stains, and odors at a molecular level, making them highly effective at removing dirt. When diluted with water, it can also be used to water plants and get rid of insects and aphids. “You can also use it to water the soil so your plants grow healthier. So, it really has many uses,” Velasquez added.
Deputy CEO Woon Ng also emphasized the importance of making eco-enzyme in reducing chemical pollutants in our soil and water, contributing to the protection and conservation of our natural resources. “It’s very easy and practical. We invite everyone to do it,” Ng said.
Meanwhile, from the collected 214 kilos PET bottles, Tzu Chi volunteers are innovating these plastics into making lotus flower candles, soon to be used for Tzu Chi’s upcoming 3-in-1 celebration of Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12.
“We can turn trash into something useful. And everybody can do our part in saving the Earth,” Ng added.
Tzu Chi volunteers begin the process of making eco-enzyme by carefully preparing and washing banana peels. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers begin the process of making eco-enzyme by carefully preparing and washing banana peels. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Banana peels collected from Runrio’s Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run serve as the primary ingredient for making eco-enzyme. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Deputy CEO Woon Ng leads volunteers in the creation of eco-enzyme. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
After washing, volunteers chop the banana peels as part of the process to make eco-enzyme【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Next, volunteers mix 3 units of banana peels with 1 unit of sugar to create the eco-enzyme solution. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Next, volunteers mix 3 units of banana peels with 1 unit of sugar to create the eco-enzyme solution. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
The mixture of banana peels and sugar is then transferred into a closed container. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
10 liters of water are added to the mixture of 3 kilograms of banana peels and 1 kilogram of sugar. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
After fermenting for 3 to 4 months, the drained solution will be ready for use in cleaning and other applications. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Collected PET bottles from the running event are used to make lotus flower candles for the foundation’s upcoming 3-in-1 celebration of Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Volunteers work together to make lotus flower candles out of collected PET bottles. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Volunteers work together to make lotus flower candles out of collected PET bottles. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
PET bottles of different sizes and colors make up the upcycled lotus flower candle. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
PET bottles of different sizes and colors make up the upcycled lotus flower candle. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】