The Philippines, which ranks as the twelfth largest population in the world, is facing an economic crisis as well as environmental issues. An independent survey conducted by Ecowaste Coalition and Greenpeace on the composition of discards in Manila Bay in 2006 found that 51% were plastic bags and 19% sachets and junk food wrappers.

 

In our own rivers and along our streets, you can find plastic. While many see trash as an eye sore, our group, which comprises of  students of MORMS saw trash as an economic opportunity for our community.

Our initiative, Trash into Cash, can change the community economically, environmentally, and socially. As a livelihood project, it increases economic opportunities for people in the area while helping to reduce and reuse plastic therefore helping the environment. It can also improve the quality of life in the community by creating a cleaner, greener community where people can be proud of where they live.

As a team, we are challenging people to find creative and innovative ways to reduce and reuse their waste. Our initiative uses a household iron to create reusable bags and other school supplies. The products that we created can easily be replicated by any community looking for ways to reduce and reuse plastic waste.