Message from Zero Waste Philippines

This Christmas and New Year, we have a perfect excuse for you to declutter and start the year right.

Those clothes you loved but no longer fit?
Those housewares you have in duplicate?
Those bags and shoes that have been sitting in your closet for years?
Maybe you received more gifts than you need this Christmas?

Why not give them away for the benefit of our silent heroes on Zero Waste—our Waste Workers!

Waste Workers play an important role in model Zero Waste communities in the Philippines by doing door-to-door segregated collection, recycling, composting, and creative reuse of some materials. This allows some barangays to divert up to 92% of their waste from dumpsites and landfills, thereby saving cities millions of pesos in collection and transport cost, and millions more from avoided tipping fees.

In recognition of their work, Mother Earth Foundation and GAIA Philippines are organizing two events as part of the Zero Waste Month celebration in January. The first is the Waste Workers Congress where workers’ rights and their current working condition will be discussed, with the goal of gathering the necessary inputs for policy recommendations to relevant government agencies.

The second event is a Waste Workers’ Appreciation Day where around 300 waste workers from our partner communities will gather for a day of fun, free medical and dental services, and games with exciting prizes. There will also be a special Garage Sale of pre-loved goods that Waste Workers can avail for free or at great discounts. This will also be open to the public.

In connection to this, we are now soliciting any of your pre-loved goods (but in working condition) for this Garage Sale. All proceeds from this event will be used to fund a Scholarship Program for children of Waste pickers. Cash donations are also welcome.

You can drop off your donation at the MEF and GAIA Offices. You may contact Tin or Shelly at 02-4345381 for any questions.

Mother Earth Foundation
59 C. Salvador St. Loyola Heights
Katipunan, Quezon City

GAIA Philippines
Unit 330, Eagle Court Condominium
26 Matalino Street, Barangay Central
Quezon City, Philippines

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to your family and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from MEF and GAIA!