SK project in Quezon offers WiFi access by depositing plastic bottles

Did you know that you can exchange your plastic bottles for a WiFi connection?

In Barangay Poblacion, Tagkawayan, Quezon Province, residents only need to drop off their plastic bottles at the Eco-nnect WiFi Vendo Machine, which is situated at the barangay covered court, according to the "Game Changer" feature on "24 Oras" on Friday.

Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson Angela Salumbides said the pisonet vending machines, which only require P1 to access the internet for a few minutes, served as the model for their project.

“Ang Eco-nnect WiFi po ay proyektong pinagsama na teknolohiya at environmental care. Inspired po siya sa piso WiFi vendo machine,” she said.

(The Eco-nnect WiFi is a project that combines technology and environmental care. It was inspired by the piso WiFi vending machine.)

Frederick Contreras, the developer of the innovative project, said that he has been creating WiFi vending machines. But for the SK project, he developed the machine that would have acceptors for plastic bottles instead of coins.

“Gumagawa na po talaga ako ng WiFi vendo machine. Mayroon na rin akong mga design ng mga garbage acceptor, bottle acceptor,” he said.

(I am already making WiFi vending machines. I also have designs for garbage acceptors and bottle acceptors.)

So how can one access the internet with plastic bottles?

Contreras explained users must first connect their mobile devices to the WiFi SSID known as “Eco-nnect WiFi Vendo.” Once connected, users will be taken to a portal where they need to click "insert bottle."

The portal will track the number of bottles you have thrown into the machine in real time. After you've finished shooting your plastic bottles, simply click "done paying" on the portal to start using your WiFi.

Eco-nnect WiFi has a sensor that identifies bottles.

For one bottle, you can enjoy 10 minutes of connectivity. One hour of internet connection is equivalent to shooting five bottles, while three hours require 10 bottles.

Salumbides said they are planning to deploy machines in other areas of the barangay, such as wet markets and the town plaza.

A World Bank study indicated that approximately 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the country each year. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News