Iloilo, UNDP launch program to upcycle election waste

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The Iloilo Provincial Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines have launched the Weave Out Waste (WOW) Limpyo Iloilo program to turn post-election waste into marketable products.

The initiative is part of UNDP Philippines’ PH Plastics Circularity Project supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Through amended Executive Order No. 265, Iloilo expanded its Limpyo Eleksyon 2025 initiative into a circular economy program that promotes sustainable waste management.

In May 2025, the province collected more than 49,000 kilograms of post-election waste, with plastics making up over 50 percent, including tarpaulins at 34 percent and flexible plastics at 16 percent.

WOW empowers marginalized groups through skills training in product design, prototyping, and upcycling techniques using recovered tarpaulins, plastics, and local materials.

It also promotes entrepreneurship by developing community-based artisan enterprises to sustain and replicate upcycling beyond the election period.

“Through the PH Plastics Circularity Project, UNDP will continue to work with Iloilo Province in engaging a sustainable enterprise to ensure that upcycled products from Limpyo Eleksyon are suitable to the target markets,” said UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran.

“More importantly, we set out to engage with the informal waste sector, women’s groups, and local organizations representing vulnerable and disadvantaged groups,” he added.

The pilot rollout included 40 participants from Talongonan, Passi City, and artisans from other municipalities who attended a two-day training on September 8–9, 2025.

They learned design thinking, sustainability practices, and practical upcycling techniques to produce prototypes such as laundry bags, grocery bags, wallets, keychains, and placemats with coasters.

Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr. said, “The Iloilo Provincial Government is committed to integrating circular economy practices into Limpyo Eleksyon 2025 as well as our future initiatives.”

“We will continue to fulfill our work to promote sustainable use of resources, reduce plastic waste, and provide better local economic opportunities to communities across the province,” he added.

Beyond election waste, the PH Plastics Circularity Project seeks to strengthen local waste management systems, empower the informal waste sector, and promote inclusive business models.

The initiative also encourages behavior change to reduce plastic use, increase collection, and advance circular economy policies at the local level.

It is implemented in partnership with the Iloilo Provincial Government and the municipalities of Banate, Dumangas, Iloilo City, Passi City, and Pototan.

The project is part of a nine-country regional initiative supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation to tackle plastic waste and accelerate the shift to a circular economy in Asia.