IN COLLABORATION with The Incubation Network and the City Government of Talisay in Negros Occidental, the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI) launched four waste management innovations co-designed by Talisaynon waste workers themselves.

This effort was implemented under the “Women Waste Workers for Wala Usik: Co-Designing a Circular Economy.”

These innovations included an e-mobile junkshop, a customized kariton or push cart, new segregation bins, and a materials recovery facility (MRF).

These solutions, funded under the Circular Economy Empowerment Fund (CEEF), are born out of the waste workers’ collaboration with stakeholders in a design thinking process.

They identified aspects of their job that can be improved. A workshop was facilitated under the guidance of PRRCFI and its partners namely the City Environment and Natural Resources Office - Talisay, Provincial Environment Management Office, Technological University Of The Philippines- Visayas, and special inputs from the San Carlos City Environment Management Office.

The e-mobile junkshop is a vehicle that waste workers can use to go around the barangays in Talisay City to collect recyclables and load up to 250 kilogram of materials on it.

It is electric, easy to drive, and can accommodate two passengers.

The customized kariton is a pushcart with an umbrella, hooked sacks as containers for recyclables, waste bins, and a compartment for extra storage.

The design promotes ease of use, with the material being lightweight and easy to maneuver. This innovation aims to make it more convenient for street waste collectors, particularly women, to go around with different containers for respective waste categories.

The project also provided new segregation bins and MRF strategically placed around Talisay City to reinforce proper waste segregation, reduction, and recycling practices.

The deployment of these innovations aims to assist and capacitate Talisaynon informal waste workers in their daily operations.

The goal is for them to become more dignified and effective in doing their jobs while also building their confidence and ability to take leadership in their community.

This project is also being supported by SecondMuse, The Circulate Initiative, Alliance to End Plastic Waste, Global Affairs Canada, and Affaires Mondiales Canada.

Women Waste Workers for Wala Usik: Co-Designing a Circular Economy is a project that aims to increase awareness and inspire action toward gender-responsive waste management programs by local government units and their partners.

It is an effort geared towards generating more support for women and men informal waste workers who provide essential frontline services to the community. (PR)