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.
Organizers and participants during the 1st year of Reimagine Recycling
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 before 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.
A program participant joining a brainstorming session on waste segregation and collection
“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.
