The Nordic Embassies in Manila and Tetra Pak Philippines have teamed up to launch the “Cartons for Communities and Nordic Waste Classification System” in select elementary and high schools in Pasig City — a joint effort to inspire the next generation to take the lead in circular economy solutions, the embassies said in a media release.
As cities like Pasig strive to manage post-consumer waste, including food and beverage packaging, the private sector is stepping up. Tetra Pak, a Swedish packaging solutions company, is among the frontrunners.
Through its Cartons for Communities program, Tetra Pak partners with schools, private communities, and local government units (LGUs) to promote the segregation and recycling of used beverage cartons (UBCs). These UBCs are upcycled into durable boards that can be turned into chairs, tables, and other everyday essentials.
Five schools — Pinagbuhatan Elementary School, Pasig Elementary School, Eusebio High School, Pasig Science High School, and Rizal High School — will pilot the initiative. Each school will receive collection bins made from recycled cartons, where students can deposit rinsed and flattened UBCs for recycling.
An interschool competition will also be held, rewarding the schools that collect the most cartons. Students will earn incentives for their participation, reinforcing the idea that sustainability starts with small, consistent actions.
At the launch event, students and teachers explored the science behind Tetra Pak’s signature cartons — made of 70% paperboard, 25% plastic, and 5% aluminum — and learned how each component can be recycled.
The city government’s Solid Waste Management Office also rolled out the local adaptation of the Danish waste classification system, following a recent Pasig delegation’s study visit to Denmark and Sweden. The system, which will be piloted in Pasig schools, aims to reward proper segregation of recyclable waste such as plastic and glass bottles, aluminum cans, and paper.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto underscored the importance of proper waste disposal in preventing flooding. He reminded students that “keeping trash off the streets helps prevent clogged drainage systems and reduces flooding in our neighborhoods,” adding that while the local government has a key role, citizens — starting with students — are equally vital in maintaining a clean city.
Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry shared how Sweden instills recycling habits early in life: “In Sweden, kids learn about waste segregation and recycling at an early age at home. This continues in preschool and grade school, where they are taught about the deposit return system for cans and bottles or panta in Swedish. This project with Tetra Pak is similar to this, and a great start to learn about the circular economy model.”
Tetra Pak Philippines Packaging Portfolio Director and Site Manager Albert del Fonso emphasized the program’s long-term goal:
“At Tetra Pak, we believe that empowering the next generation is key to building a more sustainable future. Through the Cartons for Communities program, we are proud to work alongside the Nordic Embassies and Pasig City to help students become champions of the circular economy. By learning how to recycle and upcycle used beverage cartons, these young leaders are not only protecting the environment—they’re shaping a culture of sustainability in their schools and communities.”
Also supporting the event was Flying Tiger Copenhagen, a Danish retail company that has embraced sustainability and circularity in its design, production, and packaging processes, with several stores now established across the Philippines.
The Pasig project forms part of the Nordic Initiative on Circular Economy, supported by the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish Embassies in Manila — regions globally recognized for innovation in sustainable practices.
In 2024, the Nordic embassies and the Pasig City government signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the city’s transition to a circular economy. Earlier this year, Pasig representatives visited Denmark and Sweden to study best practices on waste management and recycling — lessons now taking root in local schools.