Epson Philippines Corporation has partnered with WWF-Philippines to strengthen waste management systems in Pio Duran, Albay, deploying a community-driven approach to address plastic leakage in coastal areas. The initiative, part of Epson’s “Engineered for Good” campaign, focuses on improving waste collection and recycling at the barangay level, where gaps in access have contributed to pollution affecting marine ecosystems and livelihoods.

The project introduced practical tools to improve daily waste handling, including five padyak collection units and six segregation bins placed in high-traffic areas such as ports and mangrove sites. These systems now support the collection of hundreds of kilograms of mixed and plastic waste weekly, reducing the volume that reaches waterways. At the municipal level, a plastic extruder was added to existing facilities, enabling communities to convert collected waste into usable materials like eco-bricks and strengthen local recycling capacity.

Training and community engagement anchored the rollout, with participants from 19 barangays receiving guidance on waste segregation and planning, leading to updated management frameworks for the next three years. Cleanup drives further reinforced awareness, removing more than 200 kilograms of waste from vulnerable mangrove areas. “Engineered for Good reflects how we approach our role in society. We apply our technology and work with partners in ways that create value that can be sustained over time,” said Masako Kusama, president and director of Epson Philippines Corporation.