THE First Gen Group came together to launch “Drop IT for Good,” an e-waste collection campaign that encourages employees to turn everyday electronic waste into a shared act of responsible disposal and environmental stewardship. Launched during the Lopez Group Envi Festival, the campaign invites employees across the Lopez Group to bring unused, broken or outdated electronic items to designated collection points at Rockwell Business Center (RBC) for proper handling, recycling and disposal.

The campaign is implemented in partnership with HMR Envirocycle Philippines Inc. Through this partnership, the First Gen Group aims to help keep e-waste away from landfills, waterways and informal disposal channels, while promoting greater awareness of circular and responsible waste management.

The launch featured a ceremonial e-waste drop-off led by First Gen vice president Shirley Cruz, Lopez Group Foundation Inc. executive director Mercedes Lopez Vargas, Dr. Rodel Lasco, executive director of Oscar M. Lopez Center and lead for the Environment Cluster of the Lopez Group, and Emmanuel Cruz, First GenEnergy Development Corporation environmental compliance and assurance analyst.

During the program, Cruz also discussed the mechanics of the campaign, guiding employees on the types of e-waste that may be brought to the designated collection points, the schedule and process for drop-off, why responsible disposal matters, and how the First Gen Group’s collective participation in the campaign can help support a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future.

For employees’ convenience, e-waste collection bins are available at the RBC Tower 3 business centers on the 9th, 12th, 14th and 16th floors throughout the campaign.

As part of the launch, Envirocycle Philippines also conducted a brief awareness talk for employees, explaining the advocacy behind proper ewaste management and the importance of ensuring that used and end-of-life electronics are properly handled, recycled and disposed of.

The “Drop IT for Good” campaign builds on the First Gen Group’s long-standing advocacy for the environment. Among its flagship initiatives is “Create for the Climate,” one of the country’s sustained corporate-led environmental education programs, which builds climate awareness, strengthens long-term learning, empowers stakeholders to take practical climate action, and fosters community resilience. The group also implements BINHI, the largest private sector-led forest restoration initiative in the Philippines.

These efforts are anchored on First Gen’s leadership in clean and renewable energy, as the company continues to champion decarbonization while helping support a more resilient and just energy transition in the Philippines.

First Gen vice president Shirley Cruz (3rd from left) and Lopez Group Foundation Inc. executive director Mercedes Lopez Vargas (4th from left), with (l-r) Engr. Wilssie Sanchez of HMR Envirocycle Philippines, EDC environmental compliance and assurance analyst Emmanuel Cruz, and OML Center executive director Dr. Rodel Lasco

By Dianne Toledo