June, 23 2026

“Working alongside communities through Project COPE has reinforced a simple but powerful truth: lasting change happens when people are empowered to become part of the solution,” says No Plastics in Nature Program Manager Julius Guirjen. “From waste workers who have taken on new leadership roles, to local governments championing circular economy approaches, to communities changing everyday practices, we have witnessed how collective action can transform the way we address plastic pollution.” 

Under WWF-Philippines' Circular Operations for a Plastic Pollution-free Environment or Project COPE, 569 waste workers received capacity-building training on sorting and diverting waste from the areas of Cagayan De Oro City, Caloocan City, Siargao and Quezon City.  

The capacity-building focused on informal waste workers and community groups developing and strengthening skills so they can organize and participate as key actors in effective and inclusive waste management systems. The training prioritized improving operational capacity, supporting livelihood opportunities, and enabling greater representation of waste workers within local solid waste management structures.  

For the past two years, 14,626 participants attended workshops on behavior change communications through Communication, Education and Public Awareness sessions, capacity-building and other community engagement activities. 

“Ako bilang nagsimula sa hepe, wala talaga akong alam...Doon sa pagta-training namin, marami akong natutunan tulad ng pagsesegregate, pamamahala ng basura,” says Loida Angeles, Solid Waste Management Task Force Leader in Caloocan City. “Kasi ang tao dito katwiran, wala na raw pagbabago...Sabi ko dahil narinig ko sa training namin na may pagbabago...kasi ang problema ng basura nanggaling sa tao, kaya ‘yung solution sa basura manggagaling din sa tao.” 

Translation: When I started as the Solid Waste Management Task Force Leader, I was not experienced...During our training, I learned a lot about segregating waste and managing garbage. The people here are used to believing that nothing will change...but I told them that I learned from our training that we can still change our waste problem...Because the problem with our waste comes from the people, so the solution will also come from the people. 

The sessions resulted to the development and distribution of information education communication (IEC) materials such as posters encouraging proper waste segregation, monitoring boards, stickers with waste management information and junk shop pricelist templates.  

The communities co-designed the materials and posted them in their homes, stores and offices to push people to adhere to waste management rules and make it a habit.  

“Mas maigting ‘yung pagtatapon ng basura, mas naging regular rito. Mas nagkaroon sila ng disiplina dahil hindi basta tinatapon kung saan-saan,” says Imelda Manigo, a waste worker in Quezon City. “Actually, we started as community members, nang maimbitahan kami nagkaroon kami ng ibang pananaw and then nagtino sa aming isipan, at sa puso ito’y bumaba at kinikilos namin ngayon.” 

Translation: In our area, people became more consistent in disposing of their trash regularly. They became more disciplined because they no longer just throw away their waste anywhere. Actually, we started as community members, and when WWF invited us (to the training), we gained a new perspective, which we carried in our hearts and put into practice. 

Along with the training, Project COPE provided equipment such as collection vehicles, push carts, materials recovery facilities and systems, cleaning tools, sound systems for announcements, and weighing scales. The new equipment aimed to improve the waste segregation, collection and disposal of waste in the communities.  

With the training and equipment combined, the communities were able to collect 163 tons of waste and divert 25 tons in a period of two years. The established system creates a formula for a circular economy: IECs and trainings on waste segregation, improved equipment for collection and lastly, boosted recovery facilities and trainings for junk shops as well as refilling and upcycling stores, to close the loop of plastic waste flowing into the environment.  
 
“COPE leaves behind more than systems and infrastructure—it leaves behind stronger partnerships, greater local ownership, and renewed confidence that a future with no plastics in nature is achievable for the Philippines,” says Guirjen.  

Local government units also use the skills of behavior change communication to address plastic waste at the source, by teaching residents to lessen the use of plastic and consume reusable goods instead.  

“What we can do with our office is that we will continue the IEC and the awareness for the people. Most of the people here are not locals, they are mixed with international and domestic tourists,” says Kent Pantolla, from the Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office of General Luna, Siargao. “Every year, they come and go, and every year, we will do the IEC so we can continue the programs that were given to us.” 

More than just the tangible developments in the communities and in the environment, the waste workers became more empowered to be involved in the planning and implementation of plastic waste solutions in their neighborhoods, recognizing their unique role in achieving a circular economy.  

“Hindi lang ako, hindi lang ‘yung mga non-government organization, hindi lang ang gobyerno, ang bawat isa ay may obligasyon at repsponsibilidad upang ang kalikasan at ang kinabukasan para sa susunod na henerasyon ay mas mabuti pa kaysa ngayon,” says Manigo. 

Translation: It is not just me, not just the non-government organizations, or the government—every single one of us has the obligation and responsibility to ensure that the environment and the future for the next generation would be better than today.