Banate boosts circular economy against plastic waste

The coastal municipality of Banate, known for its annual Kasag Festival, is intensifying its push for a circular economy approach as increasing plastic waste continues to threaten its waterways and marine resources.

To strengthen community participation in waste reduction efforts, waste collectors, informal waste workers, and personnel of the town’s Material Recovery Facility underwent training on circular economy practices on May 12.

The circular economy approach promotes minimizing waste while maximizing the use, reuse, and recovery of materials.

The activity was spearheaded by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Banate in partnership with the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office and the United Nations Development Programme Philippines through the PH Plastics Circularity Project, with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Participants were introduced to the 10Rs framework of the circular economy, which encourages communities to refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, recycle, and recover materials to lessen environmental impact.

The training also highlighted the shift away from the traditional take-make-dispose system toward sustainable waste management practices aimed at preventing plastic waste from ending up in rivers and coastal areas.

For Elsa Singel, a 54-year-old informal waste worker who has spent more than three decades sorting recyclables at the town’s MRF with her sisters, the session deepened her appreciation of their role in environmental protection.

“Learning about the circular economy made me realize my contribution,” Singel said.

Local officials said informal waste workers remain key partners in the municipality’s waste diversion efforts, particularly as Banate continues to face challenges related to improper waste disposal.

Based on the municipality’s 2025 Waste Analysis and Characterization Study, Banate generates an estimated 5,400 kilograms of waste daily.

By strengthening awareness of circular economy practices, organizers hope communities will take a more active role in reducing waste generation and protecting Banate’s coastal environment.