GLOBAL GOALS
Plastic welding, anyone?
Trained plastic welders can put up their own plastic repair shop in the community.
Sentinel Upcycling Technologies (SUT), founded in 2014 by plastics engineer and Manly Plastics senior executive Jonathan F. Co, transforms single-use sachets and plastic bottles into durable products. At the recent Sustainability Solutions Exchange 2026, SUT’s exhibit booth showcased its products including arm and monoblock chairs, and trash bin, all made from plastic waste.
The booth also presented SUT’s innovative service, plastic welding and training on the technology.
SUT marketing assistant Aurie Amor said the company repairs damaged plastic pallets and crates of its clients to support its advocacy of managing plastic waste.
“Repairing a suitable damaged pallet can be more cost-effective than replacing it, depending on the damage and intended use,” Amor said.
"Sentinel offers plastic repair services, welding training and PP/PE welding rods. Repair charges are quoted after assessment of the item, damage and intended use, with labor, consumables and applicable service arrangements identified in the quotation. Welding rods are available separately," she added.
SUT also conducts trainors’ training of plastic welding in communities in partnership with local government units and local training centers to create new livelihood opportunities and promote a repair-first mindset.
Amor said SUT has piloted the training in Quezon City and Malabon, where SUT’s plant is located.
“We want to have a plastic welder in every city,” she said.
Trained plastic welders can pursue opportunities to establish their own community-based plastic repair businesses, according to Amor.
The Quezon City Training and Assessment Center hosted a plastic welding training of Sentinel for community participants on 20 and 21 October. The Iloilo City Repair Hub in Fort San Pedro Drive, Barangay Veterans Village also hosted a hands-on training to support local waste reduction and sustainable resource management on 6 to 8 October. Additionally, Sentinel has an ongoing partnership with World Vision to train out-of-school youth from Malabon, Quezon City and Manila in plastic welding.
By sharing technical know-how with community workers, SUT is helping create a local workforce that can keep plastics in use longer.
If replicated across industrial zones, ports, public markets, and logistics corridors, plastic welding could become a recognized green trade in the Philippines — one that reduces waste, lowers costs, and creates jobs at the same time.