Mondelez International is advocating for responsible waste management thru its #SustainableSnacking advocacy and has recently joined a coastal cleanup event along Manila Bay. This is in partnership with HOPE, PCX Markets, the local government of Manila and Mondelez International employee volunteers.
The iconic Manila Bay served as a fitting venue for the coastal cleanup. Currently, Manila Bay's famous waters is heavily polluted due to its proximity to a densely populated area.
"Manila Bay is part of the ecosystem we live in, and seeing the waste firsthand makes our impact more tangible," said Caitlin Punzalan, Corporate and Government Affairs Lead, Mondelez International Philippines.
Mondelez International employees, together with local volunteers and other eco-warriors was able to collect 60kg of waste, composed of both plastic and non-plastic materials. "At Mondelez International, we believe even small but consistent actions can lead to big impact," continued Punzalan. "Our coastal cleanup effort is just one way our colleagues are putting our #SustainableSnacking agenda into motion- by showing up for the communities and ecosystems we share. It's also a learning experience for them, to see the realities of the waste management issue in our community."
The plastic waste collected from the cleanup was weighed by Friends of Hope through its flagship collection program- Aling Tindera. This ensured proper documentation and traceability of the recovered materials- an important step in supporting the circular waste economy.
Aling Tindera is Friends of HOPE's pioneering waste-to-cash initiative which aims to promote the collection and diversion of plastic waste from nature, while educating the public on responsible waste management practices. In each site, residents can bring their collected plastic waste from hope and exchange it for cash. By establishing these networks of neighborhood sustainability champions, Mondelez International and its partners aim to inspire behavior change and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
"Partnerships like these are critical in moving the needle on plastic waste recovery. Mondelez International has been a consistent and engaged stakeholder- actively working with us to not only meet comliance, but to help empower local communities through the Aling Tindera network," said Rudi Ramin, Commercial Director at PCX Markets.
The coastal cleanup is just a part of Mondelez International's advocacy. Last year, the company was recognized with the Plastic Cleanup Partner badge, awarded to organizations that exceeded compliance targets under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law- a reflection of the company's drive to go above and beyond what is mandated.
To further scale its impact, Mondelez International has supported the establishment of two Aling Tindera collection hubs in Brgy. BF Home and SM City Sucat, created in close collaboration with Friends of HOPE and PCX Markets. These hubs offer local communities accessible drop-off points for plastic waste, while also supporting livelihood opportunities for women micro-entrepreneurs.
"Beyond just compliances, we see this as our responsibility to the environment and to future generations," concluded Punzalan. "It's not just about picking up plastic, it's about building better systems, engaging our people and making sustainability a part of our everyday culture."
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