MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Now in its fifth year, Reimagine Recycling, a project by Coca-Cola Philippines and Save Philippine Seas that aims to scale emerging circular economy initiatives, is once again seeking to support waste solutions through project funding and capacity-building opportunities. This year’s search will focus on projects that develop circular systems, support informal livelihoods, and prevent waste leakage in riverine and marine ecosystems.
From the pool of applications, up to 10 finalists will be selected to attend the Reimagine Recycling Summit in January 2024. During the summit, they will have the opportunity to meet with past winners, participate in workshops, and pitch their proposals to a panel of experts and specialists. Selected proposals have the chance to receive up to PHP 500,000.00 in funding from the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines to support their implementation.
“Coca-Cola Philippines is proud to continue working with Save Philippine Seas to promote marine conservation. We recognize the importance of our oceans in life. Through Reimagine Recycling, we are helping support a circular economy for our packaging – including uplifting informal livelihoods, and working to reduce marine pollution in our rivers and oceans,” said Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines and Vice President for Coca-Cola Franchise Operations in the East Region (Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines).
The program is part of Coca-Cola’s continuous efforts to achieve a World Without Waste through partnerships with organizations. In 2018, The Coca-Cola Company pledged to collect and recycle an equivalent of every bottle and can it sells by 2030; make its packaging recyclable globally by 2025, and use at least 50% recycled materials in its bottles by 2030. The company has also opened a state-of-the-art bottle-to-bottle recycling facility in General Trias, Cavite in 2021.
“At Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, we believe in the power of collective action and the ability to make a difference. That is why we are excited to support the 5th year of Reimagine Recycling! We continue to seek new innovations from groups who share our vision of caring for our communities and supporting our informal waste sector,” said Cecile Alcantara, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines President.
“Reimagine Recycling has enabled past winners to make new connections, grow their projects, and support the collection of over 195,000 kilograms of waste. The ingenuity of Filipinos is inspiring,” said Anna Oposa, Executive Director of Save Philippine Seas.
Applications must be submitted by November 20.
Eligibility
Applicants should have an established and ongoing project that addresses issues in coastal community engagement, improving the welfare of informal waste pickers, gender mainstreaming in waste management, and preventing waste from the river and marine ecosystems. The project must be at least six (6) months old by November 2023. The initiative must be a community-based project. Priority will be given to projects that work at the barangay level and collect and recycle hard plastics.
Applications must be by an organization, association, or group, with two to three representatives per project. Applicants may represent private entities (including startups and social enterprises), civil society organizations, or academic institutions.
Examples of initiatives
- Supporting informal livelihoods
- Capacity-building opportunities
- Implementing models of cooperative organizing and community governance
- Improving facilities for workers to safely process collections
- Developing circular systems
- Providing access to recycling markets and solutions
- Improving the local infrastructure for waste collection, recovery, recycling, and disposal facilities
- Developing roadmaps and strategies for solid waste management and/or circular economy
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