The ECOWAVE Project team met with women waste pickers in Barangay Felisa on November 12, 2025 to provide an orientation on the project’s goals, upcoming activities, and the initiative’s focus on inclusive and sustainable waste management.
The session introduced the project’s objectives, including reducing waste leakage, strengthening circular economy practices, and empowering women in the informal waste sector through capacity-building and livelihood support. Representatives from La Consolacion College Bacolod and the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) discussed how the project will work closely with community members to develop data-driven solutions that address waste flow, segregation practices, and material recovery.
Women waste pickers shared their experiences and challenges during the meeting, which will help shape interventions tailored to their needs. The team emphasized that the ECOWAVE Project seeks to uplift the sector by improving working conditions, promoting safety in waste handling, and enhancing access to opportunities within the local recycling ecosystem.
The orientation is one of several community engagements lined up as the project progresses, with upcoming activities including waste assessments, value chain analysis and skills development training. The ECOWAVE Project is supported by GIZ Philippines and implemented in partnership with the University of Kassel and the City Government of Bacolod.