Turning Trash into Treasure: Youth Creating the Standard for Sustainable Waste Management
Written by: Jessy Salazar
Have you noticed that young people these days seem to be really into recycling? Do you know someone who personally creates sustainable products? Have you ever wondered about the reason why?
Recycling is the act of collecting and transforming waste goods into new materials and products, which reduces the demand for natural resources and waste. Our consumption patterns are forcing us to deplete natural resources at an unsustainable rate. The natural environment is degrading due to inadequate waste management, and climate change is increasingly unavoidable.
According to Coracero et al (2021) from the research entitled “A Long-Standing Problem: A Review on the Solid Waste Management in the Philippines”, “Solid waste management is considered a pressing global issue calling for an immediate response from the government and its people. The Philippines has a continuously rising amount of waste and is expected to further increase in the succeeding years. The ultimate solution existing in the country is the RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which highlights the practices of segregation, proper disposal, and waste diversion. The importance of envisioning a trash-free Philippines and encouraging people’s participation and awareness is also emphasized. “
Courtesy: GMA NEWS
And it appears that there is growing awareness among young people about the importance of recycling. This is most likely due to increased awareness of the environmental impact of their consumption and a desire for more sustainable alternatives. Is this why most youths have started recycling more to help the environment?
According to UVA Jordyn H. (2024), “Engaging youth in sustainability efforts also fosters a sense of responsibility and empowerment, encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives and advocate for broader systemic changes. I think involving these initiatives can drive intergenerational collaboration, uniting diverse age groups in the common goal of preserving our environment for future generations.”
Courtesy: TCCYA
Youths may be more motivated to recycle because they are concerned about climate change and the impact of their consumption on the environment. They may also have a sense of responsibility to leave the world a better place for future generations, and recycling is one way that they can make a meaningful difference. Furthermore, young people may also recognize that recycling is important because it can help to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. And we’ve largely seen youths doing things that are beginning to have an impact on the environment. Many young people recycle for fashion, habits, arts, and any other reason they can think of in order to reduce the use of wasteful products. Similarly, a group of youths in Butuan City created ScrapCycle.ph, a mobile recycling app.
Courtesy: ScrapCycle Facebook page
In November 2023, a group of young Butuan City innovators launched ScrapCycle.ph, a smartphone app that aims to make recycling more convenient. Users can use the app to schedule recycling pickups, receive payments straight to their accounts, and track their environmental contributions. ScrapCycle.ph has made recycling more accessible and convenient by connecting consumers and recyclers, encouraging increased community participation.
Courtesy: ScrapCycle.ph
Based on the report of Ivy Marie Mangadlao on Rappler (2024), Genevieve Navales said, “Initially, it was just me and my classmates. However, after graduation, we discussed our plans and career paths. I expressed my strong desire to pursue ScrapCycle, believing that even if I found a job, this idea would still linger in my mind. So I decided to take the risk, considering the potential benefits not only for myself but also for the country and Filipinos, providing an essential waste management solution.”
Genevieve’s story demonstrates the power that young people may have when they unite to create change. Her willingness to pursue her ScrapCycle idea, despite the possible risks, demonstrates her dedication to improving the environment and the country as a whole. This is an excellent illustration of how young people can band together to achieve a common objective, in this case, improving garbage management and benefiting the environment.
After seeing that the Philippines ranked third globally in terms of plastic pollution, Pocholo Espina, another young environmentalist, came up with the idea for Sip PH during his final year of college. Using reusables, he discovered ways to live a sustainable lifestyle that can inspire others. He had started his business with 3,000 metal straws and brushes that he had bought overseas and pouches that he had ordered locally.
Courtesy: Sip.ph website
Along with several local celebrities, the brand saw exponential growth and even caught the attention of the non-profit World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). His brand’s product line has grown to include additional reusable cutlery in addition to metal straws.
Courtesy: #seatizensunday
Courtesy: Nikki Sevilla (Tatler Asia)
Additionally, Dominique “Nikki” Sevilla, who once participated in a bazaar that forbade the use of plastic bags, began searching for environmentally suitable packaging materials. She was shocked to learn that plastic was still used in some form in the majority of “eco” products. Thus, she conducted a study on potential breakthroughs with her partner Joshua Caampued. Under the EcoNest PH brand, they collaborated to create bamboo cups, sugarcane bagasse containers, and cassava bags that dissolve in hot water.
Courtesy: EcoNest.ph website
As a provider of environmentally friendly packaging solutions for organizations looking to become more sustainable, they are currently the top distributor of these solutions, serving more than 1,000 businesses that share their enthusiasm for protecting the environment.
These are excellent displays of how young people can band together to achieve a common objective, in this case, improving garbage management and benefiting the environment. And the standards that the majority of young people value most are altering the world with the intention of transforming the environment, as it emphasizes well the ability of young people to collaborate and have a good impact on their communities, even in the face of limited resources and potential threats. This kind of dedication has the potential to bring about substantial changes and improvements in the world.
How about you? Have you ever taken action to affect your environment? Do you believe that youths can inspire others to make a change? Are you also one of those who create and use recycled and sustainable products? What are your reasons?
What do YOUTH think? What do YOU think?
References:
Mangadlao, I. M. (2024, January 15). Butuan youth group launches mobile app junk shop to revolutionize recycling. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/butuan-youth-group-launches-mobile-app-junk-shop-evolutionize-recycling/?utm_
Ericson Esquibel Coracero, Rb Juarez Gallego, Kristine Joy Frago, & Ruel Joseph Gonzales. (2021, December 28). A Long-Standing Problem: A Review on the Solid Waste Management in the Philippines. ResearchGate; CV. Literasi Indonesia. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357392729_A_Long-Standing_Problem_A_Review_on_the_Solid_Waste_Management_in_the_Philippines
The Importance of Youth Engagement in Sustainability | UVA Sustainability. (2024). Virginia.edu. https://sustainability.virginia.edu/blog/importance-youth-engagement-sustainability
Sip PH. (2018). Sip PH. https://sip.ph/?srsltid=AfmBOoq-kgtepsmzAN5ez2NO6U1hK88aBeL1XLuu4YJSLuLlD6OuJfEI
EcoNest Sustainable Packaging. (2018). Econestph.com. https://www.econestph.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo1e_t55kjeAx6J5ObnergEV-V8M6sQmZVVhoVC_R9VsETU27T3
Inocencio, V. J. (2024). How this eco-entrepreneur is changing the packaging game using sugarcane and cassava. Tatler Asia. https://www.tatlerasia.com/gen-t/innovation/filipina-entrepreneur-sustainable-packaging-industry