LAGUNA, Philippines―Three years ago, Coca-Cola Philippines and Plastic Bank Philippines made a pact to support a circular economy in the Philippines by creating the Ecosystem Impact Program.
It is an initiative that builds collection and recycling systems in communities to prevent plastic bottles from ending up in places where they should not be―including our rivers, oceans, and landfills―while at the same time, empowering workers in the solid waste management sector.
Since then, their efforts have resulted in the collection of more than 8.7 million bottles for recycling and the activation of 33 waste collection centers across Cavite and Laguna, many of which are located in coastal communities.
Through the support of Coca-Cola Philippines, the Plastic Bank ecosystem now has 600 waste collection members, equipped with tools and equipment for efficient waste collection, financial and business literacy, operations management, and health and sanitation.
The partnership is aligned with The Coca-Cola Company’s World Without Waste global sustainable packaging strategy, whereby the company aims to make 100 percent of its packaging recyclable globally by 2025, use at least 50 percent recycled plastic in its packaging by 2030, help collect the equivalent of every can and bottle it sells by 2030, and bring people together to support a healthy, debris-free environment.
Ocean defenders
Coca-Cola Philippines recognizes the role that waste collection locations play as part of the “backbone” of solid waste management in the country. “Through these high-profile waste collection locations, many consumers are encouraged to segregate their waste and recycle,” said Atty. Cashmer Dirampaten, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Director, East Region of Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific East Operating Unit. “They encourage consumers to bring recyclable plastic bottles to waste collection locations so those can be reused, instead of being thrown away and ending up in places where they should not be.”
Guido Sarreal, Plastic Bank Regional HR Business Partner for the Asia-Pacific Region, acknowledges Coca-Cola Philippines for its continuous support to the Plastic Bank Ecosystem and its waste collection members. “We are very honored and privileged to have an organization like Coca-Cola Philippines that is sincere in their efforts in helping drive a circular economy for plastic packaging, and in helping our partners and collectors increase their capacity, capability, and ability to thrive and to support their families,” Sarreal said.
Sarreal stressed that Plastic Bank has found a real partner in Coca-Cola Philippines as they share a common goal to prevent plastics from reaching the ocean and uplift the lives of people who collect them. “We call waste pickers and collectors ‘frontliners’ because they are among the first lines of defense that protect our oceans from plastic waste.”