FIVE community-based initiatives of the Reimagine Recycling program, now in its fifth year, have received up to P500,000 of grant funding. They were developed by groups that champion circular economy solutions, address solid waste management and enhance the well-being of the informal waste sector.
An initiative of Save Philippine Seas and Coca-Cola Philippines, Reimagine Recycling provides essential reinforcement through capacity-building workshops on stakeholder management and communications, mentoring and financial grants. This year, it focused on projects preventing waste leakage in riverine and marine ecosystems and grassroots initiatives.
Anna Oposa, executive director of Save Philippine Seas, said that the funding helps the grantees “get to the next level in terms of scale and scope … The networks of Save Philippine Seas and Coca-Cola Philippines also help create connections with other stakeholders in the waste value chain.”
Reimagine Recycling participants discuss solutions for solid waste management and marine pollution. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Following a competitive application process that opened in October 2023, the following projects were selected for grant funding from Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines:
RezBin aims to make plastic disposal easy and enjoyable, fostering positive and sustainable habits among Filipinos. It is based on the realization that poor disposal habits, aside from the lack of recycling facilities, are also the main causes of plastic waste issues in the Philippines.
Threads by Pammé, a training program for informal trash collectors, repurposes plastic waste into sustainable fashion products, contributes to recycling markets and supports informal livelihoods.
Love for Green Universe empowers farmers by repurposing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles as durable UV sheets for crop protection, providing a sustainable alternative to commercially available sheets susceptible to adverse weather conditions.
After conducting surveys in the coastal barangay (villages) of Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Coast discovered community concerns such as beach plastic litter, household plastic management and reliance on single-use plastics. It takes action through initiatives like regular coastal cleanups, public forums and strategic partnerships to raise awareness, empower communities and lay the foundation for sustainable practices.
Upstyle transforms waste into opportunities for environmental and societal betterment, driven by the escalating waste crisis and economic challenges in certain communities. It teaches upcycling as a livelihood project, working with dedicated volunteers to create products from waste materials and imparting this skill to communities, providing a sustainable means of earning a living.
Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration with Save Philippine Seas in promoting marine conservation. He commended all teams participating in Reimagine Recycling Year 5, their proposals “promising … with a significant impact on the environment and our communities.”
In 2018, The Coca-Cola Co. announced its global goal to support a circular economy to help eliminate waste through the continual use of packaging as a valuable resource.
Cecile Alcantara, president of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, reiterated their belief “… in the transformative power of collaboration and its ability to create a lasting impact in our communities.”