Plastic Bank and Coca-Cola celebrates World Oceans Day

Plastic Bank and Coca-Cola Philippines celebrated World Oceans Day through Ecosystem Impact Week held in Robinsons Place General Trias. 

The Ecosystem Impact Week that was held from June 8 to June 12 highlighted the progress and milestones of Plastic Bank collection community members who continuously uphold their mission to stop ocean plastic. The event was made possible in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, the Local Government of General Trias, Cavite, and Robinsons Place General Trias.

Developing Collection Communities

Plastic Bank’s collection communities are at the heart of what Plastic Bank does.

The Ecosystem Activation partnership aims to empower collection communities by supporting recycling infrastructure, skills training, and providing tools of trade for collection.

“Plastic Bank works with over 500 recycling communities around the world and over 20,000 active members. By supporting collection communities in coastal areas, we stop plastic from reaching the ocean. 

Our partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines has helped us reach critical scale in just two years—from the volume of plastic we collect to the number of lives we directly impact,” said Gidget Velez, Chief Country Development Officer at Plastic Bank. Coca-Cola Philippines has supported the development and growth of a new Plastic Bank Ecosystem in General Trias, Cavite.

Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste (WWW) Project

Launched in 2018, the aim of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste (WWW) Project is to help collect and recycle a bottle or can, regardless of where it comes from, for every one they sell by 2030.

As the world’s biggest beverage company, Coca-Cola Philippines recognizes its role and responsibility in helping solve the plastic crisis. The company aims to make 100% of their packaging recyclable by 2025 and use 50% recycled material in their bottles and cans by 2030.

Part of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision is supporting like-minded organizations such as Plastic Bank. During the1st year of their partnership, Coca-Cola was able to collect 100,000 kg of ocean-bound PET plastic and help improve the livelihood of local communities through plastic collection.

Emphasizing the Power of Ocean Stewardship

Every single human being who is pained by the degradation of our Ocean and acts to prevent and reverse it, is an Ocean Steward.

Whether you are Plastic Bank collection community members, a pioneering partner, or a consumer making simple choices that drive impact—you are an Ocean Steward. “As Ocean Stewards, we must be part of the solution, not the pollution. 

With the right collection methods—including segregation, cleaning and delivery to our collection branches—we are educating our members on proper waste management and helping communities transcend poverty,” said Rene Guarin, Philippines Country Manager at Plastic Bank.

About Coca-Cola Philippines

Coca-Cola has been refreshing Filipinos and making a difference in the Philippines for 110 years. The Philippines was Coca-Cola’s first market in Asia to begin local bottling operations. Today, the Coca-Cola system in the Philippines has evolved into a total beverage company, offering a diverse portfolio of brands in its beverage portfolio and employing over 15,000 Filipinos in over 19 manufacturing facilities and more than 60 distribution centers nationwide. 

As part of its long-standing commitment to the country, Coca-Cola continues to work to create a better shared future for our people, the business, our communities, and our planet by continuously supporting safe water access programs in over 250 communities, empowering around 250,000 women entrepreneurs through training and peer mentoring, and accelerating packaging collection and recycling under its global World Without Waste initiative.

About Plastic Bank

Plastic Bank empowers Ocean Stewards to stop ocean plastic. Their ethical collection communities exchange plastic for life-improving benefits. Exchanges are recorded through a blockchain-secured platform that enables traceable collection, secures income, and verifies reporting. Collected material is processed into Social Plastic feedstock for reuse in products and packaging.

PlasticBank®, Social Plastic™, and Alchemy™ are trademarks of The Plastic Bank Recycling Corporation.

Learn more at plasticbank.com