This magnificent Christmas tree in Binangonan, Rizal is made of recycled waste

While many people celebrate Christmas with real pine trees or store-bought ones, the residents of Binangonan, Rizal, decided to welcome the holidays with a giant 25-foot Christmas tree and with a sustainable twist at that.

At first glance, the magnificent tree looks like it was made from high-end material, but a closer look shows that it is actually made from recycled plastic waste and snack food wrappers.

This eco-friendly tree, designed by Engineer Nelson Pajarilla, also features second circular layer powered by a motor.

According to Eduard Faraon's Stand for Truth (SFT) report, the motor was also recycled as it was once used in the lechon-making process.

"Pang-apat na taon na naming ginagawa ito. Ang idea dito is makapag-bigay talaga ng saya sa mga kababayan lalo na sa mga bata, para mabawasan namin talaga ang mga waste material at para magkaroon ng artistic na design ang mga garbage," Pajarilla said.

The sight is not new to residents of Binangonan. This dazzling tree is the municipality's entry to the Rizal Province's Annual Recycled Christmas Tree Competition.

The competition started in 2016, and since then, the municipality of Binagonan always won the top prize.

"Actually, this is inter-town. So lahat ng municipalities and one city sa Rizal, gumagawa ng ganitong Christmas tree every year out of recycled materials. 2016, nanalo kami ng isang dump truck. And 2017, another dump truck. 2018, nanalo naman kami ng isang ambulance," said Dr. Rose Marta Callante Ynares, the President of the Barkadahan ng Kababaihan ng Binagonan.

Ynares added that the eco-friendly Christmas trees are always a product of the 'collective effort of the entire community.'

"Actually, January pa lang ina-announce na namin kung anong color [ng waste] ang aming kokolektahin. Ang ginamit namin dito [this year], marahil nakaabot kami ng 400 to 500 kilos of plastics," she said. — Angelica Y. Yang/LA, GMA New