Bayang Walang Basura: ESWM through Community Social Enterprises

Bayang Walang Basura (BWB) is a contribution of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) in ecological solid waste management at the community level, and in particular, in catching and diverting plastic wastes from entering water bodies. Active member of PRRM chapters and partner people’s organizations were also mobilized to work with the project team. Through the BWB Project, PRRM continues to carry out its own advocacy agenda of environmental sustainability that includes ecological solid waste management (ESWM). The project targets to set up and support ESWM based or related social enterprises managed by local associations, women’s groups, or teams of waste-pickers/ecoaides. Partner community eco-aides also participated in capacity building activities on occupational safety and health and on social entrepreneurship. The partner eco-aides – in individual and group capacities – engaged in waste trading and mini-MRF operations; production of native baskets handcrafted by a local women’s group; and reuse of waste polyethylene bottles as containers of cleaning substances (fabric conditioner, dishwashing and handwashing liquid soaps).