Refill vending machine tested in Baguio to reduce plastic waste

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A refill vending machine designed to reduce plastic waste, particularly single-use sachets, was pilot-tested along Session Road recently as part of efforts to encourage the use of reusable containers.

In a statement on Tuesday (Nov. 3), the Baguio City Public Information Office said the machine, developed under the Circuflow, or Circuit Flow project, was introduced during the city’s Ecological Waste Fair last month.  It was developed by Chief Commercial Officer Timothy Dave Eming, Chief Operations Officer Leandro Rey Gepila, and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Sean Empizo.

According to Eming, the project received support through a CircleWorks subgrant under an 18-month grassroots program and was later approved for seed funding. The funding period started in September and will run until December 2026.

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The vending machine allows customers to refill their own reusable bottles with household and personal care products, including fabric conditioner, rubbing alcohol and dishwashing liquid. The cost will depend on the quantity of liquid purchased.

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The team is also planning to install another Circuflow machine at a convenience store in the city through an existing partnership. Eming said they would coordinate with the store to determine which products are not already available there. He added that the machine can dispense both viscous and non-viscous liquids.

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Eming said the project aims to address the country’s plastic waste problem, particularly the widespread use of single-use sachets. He cited an estimate that sachets account for 52 percent of plastic waste in the Philippines.

Proceeds from the pilot operation will be used to improve the vending machine and ensure that its features are functioning properly before the project is fully introduced to the market. /cb