Holcim Philippines, a leading building solutions provider, has become a circular economy champion, reusing over two million tons of waste as alternative fuels and raw materials. The company engages with government and private sector partners to promote circularity and waste reduction. Holcim is also working with the academic community to encourage circularity among the youth through a grassroots campaign. To support these efforts, Holcim and One Earth – One Ocean (oeoo) have deployed the Circular Explorer, a solar-powered ambassador vessel, to raise awareness and find solutions for the circular economy.
The Circular Explorer is supporting the cleanup of Manila Bay, where it has collected 40,000 kg of marine litter as of 31 July 2024, about 40% of which is plastic. However, more than collecting waste, Circular Explorer also gathers data to guide researchers in developing recommendations for possible solutions for policymakers.
The University of the Philippines Marine Science uses the vessel to gather information about marine pollution using oceanographic sensors and a microplastic collector. Furthermore, the Circular Explorer shares data with the Plastics Research Intensive Methods Training Program to capacitate 80 early-career researchers and faculty members from 50 universities and government agencies across the Philippines.
The Circular Explorer project team is further expanding its youth outreach with a partnership with the Department of Education to deploy an educational toolkit on circularity to select primary and secondary schools in the National Capital Region. Eventually, the modules will be incorporated into the academic curriculum to teach children the value of conserving resources and preventing waste through circularity.
Developed by the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) and in cooperation with oeoo and Holcim, the modules are designed to simplify the concept of circularity for schoolchildren and highlight their essential role in preserving the environment. The learning materials emphasize that simple acts such as properly segregating wastes and choosing environmentally friendly products go a long way toward circularity and sustainability.
Samuel Manlosa, Jr., Chief Sustainability Officer of Holcim Philippines: “This is another significant milestone for the Circular Explorer and a great way to support its mission to raise awareness about the value of circularity. By engaging Filipinos at a young age, we hope the next generation will make choices and decisions that support making circularity the norm moving forward.”
Christine Bellen, Project Manager of the Circular Explorer: “We’re excited to finally launch these learning modules to help the Filipino youth be more mindful about circularity. Through this, the Circular Explorer project becomes more impactful as it complements government efforts to mold the next generation to be more environmentally conscious. We are thankful to all our partners who made this happen and hopeful that this can help ongoing efforts to shape more sustainably-conscious Filipinos,”
Executive Manager of Manila and Circular Explorer Project Manager Daniel Scheler: “When I started visiting the first local schools to introduce the Circular Explorer Project in 2021, it quickly became apparent that implementing specific educational materials into the curricula would be the only way to make an impact. I can’t wait to share the educational toolkit with the world finally. I consider the creation and launching of those education assets the most significant goal the Circular Explorer Project could have ever achieved. Not only does it give us a chance to influence the mindset of the new generations, but it will teach good values to future decision-makers, not only on a consumer level but also to future lawmakers, product developers, and government officials.
ASSIST Director for Programs Francis Macatulad: “ASSIST Director for Programs Francis Macatulad: “As a capacity-building organization, it’s in the DNA of ASSIST to empower the youth on sustainable development issues. Through the development of this educational toolkit and the support from DepEd, we are not just teaching concepts but nurturing future circularity heroes who will lead the way in preserving our planet for generations to come.”
