Eco-Warriors Strengthen Recycling Efforts Through Weekly Paper Collection
The collaboration, which began as part of the broader effort to divert recyclable materials from landfills, now provides Eco-Warriors with a reliable source of recoverable waste while supporting the printing press in responsibly managing its paper discards. Every week, bundles of used paper are retrieved, sorted, and processed, highlighting the project’s goal of turning waste into a resource for both environmental protection and livelihood creation.
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – A growing pile of paper waste collected weekly by Eco-Warriors from one of the city’s largest printing presses is proof that Project Zacchaeus’ Eco Kolek initiative is making steady progress in building sustainable partnerships with local businesses.
The collaboration, which began as part of the broader effort to divert recyclable materials from landfills, now provides Eco-Warriors with a reliable source of recoverable waste while supporting the printing press in responsibly managing its paper discards. Every week, bundles of used paper are retrieved, sorted, and processed, highlighting the project’s goal of turning waste into a resource for both environmental protection and livelihood creation.
According to the Eco Kolek team, this partnership serves as a model for how businesses can work hand-in-hand with community-based waste workers to create a more circular economy. By connecting informal waste collectors to formal recycling streams, the initiative not only reduces pressure on dumpsites but also helps provide stable income opportunities for Eco-Warriors and their families.
“We are so delighted to have developed this kind of partnership with a key player in the local printing industry,” said Brian Agustin, Operations Officer of Eco Kolek. “These collaborations bring dignity and purpose to our Eco-Warriors’ work, and we hope that more companies in the city will follow this example.”
Eco-Warriors themselves expressed excitement at the steady flow of recyclable paper, saying that it motivates them to work harder and take pride in their role as protectors of the environment. For many of them, being part of Eco Kolek is more than just a livelihood—it is a chance to redefine how society views informal waste collectors, transforming them into recognized champions of sustainability.
Project Zacchaeus, through Eco Kolek and with the support of USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program, continues to call on other businesses, schools, and organizations in Puerto Princesa to participate in the initiative. By establishing more collection partnerships, the project envisions a city where recyclable waste is properly managed, livelihoods are strengthened, and communities are united in protecting the environment.
As Eco Kolek expands its network, the paper collected from the printing press stands as a tangible reminder of what collaboration can achieve: cleaner communities, empowered waste workers, and a stronger commitment to preserving Puerto Princesa’s reputation as the “City in the Forest.”