Greencycle

With around 7,600 islands forming the sprawling archipelago that makes up the Philippines, the island nation’s beautiful beaches are a much-loved tourist destination for people from all over the world.

But the Philippines is also a big consumer of plastic with inadequate waste management infrastructure and a large reliance on single-use plastics. Substantial quantities of plastic waste arriving in the ocean are threatening that image of pristine white-sand beaches.

With support from the Alliance, Quezon City-based Greencycle Innovative Solutions (GIS) continued its efforts in 2024 to tackle the plastic waste issue by bolstering waste management infrastructure and practices. The project operates predominantly in Metro Manila to collect and recover low-value flexible plastic waste. To process the collected waste, GIS works with junk shops and cement plants in the Greater Manila Area. Last year, GIS successfully established and developed an additional facility in Imus, in the Cavite province south of Metro Manila.

The Quezon City facility, which began operations in May 2023, has already accomplished its target of collecting 6,000 tonnes of low-value plastic waste and converting it into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) by the endof 2023, six months ahead of schedule. Operations at the Imus facility commenced in May 2024, collecting and recycling 1,200 tonnes by October 2024.

These facilities represent a strategic shift in GIS's approach, expanding beyond Metro Manila, home to around 13.5 million people, to address plastic waste challenges in provincial areas where support is urgently needed.

A significant development in 2024, was GIS's strategic pivot to work more closely with the informal waste sector GIS began actively engaging with the informal sector, while partnering with local governmental units (LGUs), small administrative divisions called barangays, and junk shops. This includes providing equipment and working capital, and offering health and safety training to educate and uplift these informal waste pickers.

The project also focuses on the proper treatment of women workers, including providing separate washing areas and bathrooms. This grassroots engagement is part of an effort to address social welfare issues as well as environmental concerns.

Despite GIS’ progress towards its 2024 targets, the recycling company faced some challenges, particularly related to the cement industry's reduced demand for plastic waste as an alternative fuel due to economic slowdown. This highlighted the need for diversified end markets for collected plastic waste.

With its expanded facilities, strategic partnerships, and innovative approaches, GIS is making significant contributions to addressing the Philippines' plastic waste challenges, demonstrating how targeted investments can drive meaningful progress toward a circular economy.