Basula Produkto joins America Recycles Day event

Basula Produkto, a local recycling company, is joining the entire nation in celebrating America Recycles Day on Nov. 15.

President Eric Cruz, who has long been involved in the business of trash collection, said his company is contributing to the preservation and protection of the environment by establishing a full recycling recovery site.

“We’re in the right place,” he said.

Basula Produkto, a half a million-dollar investment, opened in April with a new and bigger recycling site at the MAEDA/ERICCO office site in Tanapag.

A joint venture between ERICCO Enterprises and MAEDA Pacific Corp., Basula Produkto continues to provide the CNMI a recycling site that responds to the waste disposal needs of the CNMI.

Cruz said his company is a local firm engaged in recycling, waste management and construction. He said this is their way of supporting a clean environment on Saipan.

Since opening early this year, Basula Produkto has completed its central yard warehouse, which is its main receiving area. The entire recycling site consists areas for glass and plastics, metal section, construction materials, high value storage, and container areas among many others.

Thomas J. Nielsen, president of MAEDA Pacific Corp. on Saipan, earlier said he is elated to be involved in a business where locals are involved. He said the project aims to protect the environment and provide jobs in the Commonwealth.

Basula Produkto is accepting the following items for recycling at the new site: aluminum, brass, copper, paper, cardboard, glass, tires, and metals.

Challenges in recycling

Cruz said running a recycling business, especially at the point of an economic imbalance, has posed a greater challenge. He said if it would be allowed because of the crisis the CNMI economy is currently experiencing, a recycling processor should be given a “tax break.”

The company is being charged with so many taxes apart from the Business Gross Revenue Tax and some taxes for exporting. “We are helping the environment and we are non-profit,” he said.

Cruz said the company is dedicated to supporting proper treatment of the environment and its wastes.

Recycling starts at home

“Recycling starts at home” is Basula Produkto’s running slogan for the year. Cruz said people should not think that recycling only happens outside their homes.

“It all starts from their own homes,” he said, adding that Basula Produkto is a partner of the public in recycling. “That I want to assure,” he said.

Cruz is encouraging the Commonwealth community to start recycling at home. He said families should begin segregating their wastes and teach their children the significance of recycling.

Basula Produkto is also closely working with the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management Division in regards to recycling projects.

The government agency is currently conducting its recycling competition among registered schools.

The project is also in line with the America Recycles Day 2005 celebration in November that aims to encourage Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products.

The celebration also intends to hold an annual national awareness event to promote the social, environmental, and economic benefits of buying recycled and recycling.

The annual event was officially launched in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 15, 2004 with a Presidential Proclamation and official declaration of the day.

Since its inception in 1997, the ARD campaign has grown substantially. Last year, residents in every state of the nation participated in America Recycles Day and pledged to recycle.