From Bottles to Bricks: Ozamis City turns recycled glass into eco friendly pavers

By: Bhal Cabrerra

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental — Glass bottles once discarded as waste are now finding a new purpose in Ozamiz City’s green infrastructure.

Under the leadership of Mayor Atty. Indy Oaminal, the city government has launched an innovative project that transforms used glass bottles into durable pavers, aligning with the Padayon Asenso Ozamiz administration’s push for sustainable development.

The project is being implemented by the Solid Waste and Environmental Management Office (SWEMO), which serves as the lead local agency in processing and repurposing post-consumer glass. Through a methodical process of crushing, combining, and molding the glass with other sustainable materials, the initiative produces solid pavers suitable for walkways, parks, and road projects.

As part of the pilot rollout, the eco-friendly pavers are now being deployed at the Asenso Ozamiz Wellness Park, a flagship open space project that highlights health, sustainability, and community wellness. The park serves as a showcase for the city’s green initiatives and provides a visible demonstration of how recycled materials can contribute to modern, climate-resilient urban development.

This effort aims to reduce the city’s reliance on traditional construction materials while addressing growing waste management concerns. By integrating recycled components into public infrastructure, Ozamiz City is minimizing landfill waste and promoting environmental responsibility through practical innovation. The use of recycled glass pavers supports the city’s broader goals under the Padayon Asenso governance framework, which emphasizes inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and forward-looking urban planning.

The initiative also encourages public participation in recycling by showing how waste can be transformed into valuable assets for the community. With the success of the initial deployment at the Wellness Park, the city government plans to expand the use of recycled pavers to other public spaces and barangay-level projects in the coming months, further reinforcing Ozamiz City’s role as a model for sustainable local governance.