LOOB Fairtrade Project

LOOB Fairtrade Project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKEwCal7N_E&t=13s

The LOOB Fairtrade Project can trace its roots to the passion of LOOB towards sustainability and community development. Five years after the birth of LOOB (Love Our Own Brethren Inc), in the year 2006, the organization supported the Uswag Calajunan Livelihood Association (UCLA).

UCLA is an initiative by the Iloilo City Government to organize the waste recyclers in the Calajunan Sanitary Landfill. Part of that initiative is to establish a livelihood for the waste recyclers, and LOOB took part in this endeavor by providing skills and product design training particularly with the juicepack and paperbead products.

Since then, they are recognized by LOOB as local artisans for their talent, dedication, and passion. The organization has been supporting them mainly by improving the processes, procuring the needed post-consumer waste materials, and making their products visible in the Filipino and Japanese markets.




When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the local artisans were negatively impacted. Most of them had difficulty in sustaining a source of income because of the quarantine protocols and health hazards which restricted their access to their main source of living, that is, the recovery of waste from the landfill. This made the making of upcycled products essential to their survival and that of their family. With barely no income from waste recycling during this hard time, their treasure is their talent in transforming post-consumer waste into beautiful products.

Currently, the organization continues to conduct Juice Pack Collection Drives to augment the local artisans’ supply of juice pack materials and support their work. These drives have been in place since 2020, during the height of the pandemic, and significantly helped with the sustainability of the project. Recently, we have also accepted other packaging such as that of coffee and laundry products.

The LOOB Fairtrade Project impacts not only the local artisans themselves, but also the communities, the environment, and the bigger society. Firstly, by supporting and promoting the local artisans and their products, we are ensuring a sustainable livelihood for them which could help provide for their families and improve their living situation. They also find much confidence in their craft and the impact it has to the environment, which in turn contributes to the strengthening of their self-esteem.

Secondly, because we are using post-consumer waste in this project, we are helping to divert waste away from the landfill and the environment. Instead of those packaging polluting the surroundings or adding burden to the Calahunan Sanitary Landfill, they are turned into useful and durable products that people could utilize in their day-to-day activities. Philippines is known to be a top plastic polluter in the world, but we will endeavor to change that with the actions we do in this project.

Thirdly, with the incentivization of waste recovery, we are helping promote proper management and segregation of waste among communities. By encouraging the participation of the community’s residents in recovering waste materials, a habit and enthusiasm will be formed in them to participate in waste diversion. Most importantly, they will be integrated into the societal transition to a circular economy one trash at a time.

LOOB Fairtrade Project has been actively and sustainably contributing to the 3 P’s (for Planet, for people, for Profit) which is the beating heart and core purpose why this project was established in the first place.

For Planet:
The main identity of our Fairtrade products takes its root in the words “Recycling” and “Reusing” as these products did not come from newly curated materials but have been crafted from thousands of recycled and reused juice packs and paper waste, meticulously collected from the waste pickers at the Calajunan sanitary landfill, cut, cleaned, and turned into usable daily items. This innovative approach not only transforms discarded materials into beautiful, functional items but also plays a crucial role in protecting our planet. By collecting and repurposing these juice packs and before they quickly make their way into our lands and oceans, we are significantly reducing the leakage of plastic waste into the environment, helping to mitigate pollution and promote a circular economy. This continuous and ongoing process not only empowers local communities but also contributes to a more sustainable future for our planet.

For People:
By partnering with waste pickers collecting juice packs and wastepaper, along with talented artisans in the community, we are creating meaningful impact that extends beyond just producing Fairtrade products. This collaboration fosters a sense of purpose and awareness among community members, encouraging them to see potential in materials that might otherwise be discarded. Engaging in this project, they become more conscious of their waste habits, recognizing the value in what was once viewed as trash.

Through our initiative, a transformative shift occurs: our Fairtrade project is creating a profound impact on the mindset, character, and actions of those who engage with them. By highlighting the journey of recycled juice packs from waste to valuable products, we inspire a shift in perception about waste and sustainability. Individuals in the community start to see themselves as active participants in environmental conservation, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility. This newfound awareness encourages them to adopt more sustainable practices, not just in waste collection, but in their daily lives. As they recognize the positive effects of their actions on both their community and the planet, they develop a stronger character rooted in accountability and hope. Ultimately, our initiative empowers individuals to become advocates for change, cultivating a culture of environmental mindfulness that extends far beyond our products.
For Profit.
Our Fairtrade Project is transforming the lives of local artisans in the community—comprising waste pickers, recyclers, women, and senior citizen artisans—by providing them with a sustainable, income-generating livelihood. Previously, many of these individuals struggled to make ends meet, often relying on inconsistent and minimal earnings from waste recycling. Through our initiative, we have created a pathway for them to harness their skills and resources, significantly increasing their profit-making potential.

By turning recycled materials into high-quality Fairtrade products, we empower artisans to earn a steady income from their craftsmanship. This not only enhances their financial stability but also opens doors to greater economic opportunities. As they gain more experience and the products become more known and in demand, they can have more income from the products.

The project fosters a sense of entrepreneurship among participants, encouraging them to innovate and expand their product line. This shift not only uplifts their individual livelihoods but also strengthens the local economy as more artisans contribute to the community’s financial resilience. Together, we are cultivating a sustainable model that empowers these artisans to thrive, proving that with the right support, even the most marginalized individuals can achieve economic success and stability.

#SustainableInclusiveLivelihood #PostConsumerWasteUpcycling #FromWasteToWealth

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Our work empowers nature by transforming post-consumer waste—like juice packaging collected by waste recyclers and community members- into valuable resources. By upcycling these materials, we avoid expending energy from making same product type using virgin materials. Furthermore, we reduce burden on landfills, reduce pollution, and contribute to a circular economy where waste is minimized and resources are reused.
In advancing industry practices, we prioritize nature-positive solutions by making use of post-consumer waste. By reclaiming and reprocessing what would otherwise be discarded, we create products that have lower environmental impact and lower carbon footprint as compared to conventional options. This approach encourages industries to recognize waste as a potential resource, pushing forward sustainable practices which extend the life value of wastes.

Our Fairtrade project significantly contributes to regenerating ecosystems through sustainable practices that transform waste into valuable products while promoting environmental awareness in the community. By sourcing recycled materials, such as juice packs collected from local waste pickers, we actively reduce plastic pollution that harms ecosystems and wildlife. This process not only alleviates the burden on landfills but also helps restore the health of local environments.

The project fosters a culture of environmental stewardship among artisans and community members. As they engage in upcycling and recycling, they develop a deeper understanding of their role in protecting the planet. This heightened awareness translates into more conscientious waste management practices and encourages individuals to see potential in what is often viewed as trash. By shifting mindsets, we inspire a collective effort to protect local biodiversity and promote ecosystem stability.

Furthermore, our initiative supports education and capacity-building activities focused on sustainable practices. Participants learn about the importance of conserving natural resources and the impact of their actions on the environment. This knowledge empowers them to engage in additional ecosystem restoration efforts, such as reforestation and habitat preservation, further enhancing their connection to the land.

By providing sustainable livelihoods through the creation of Fairtrade products, we help build resilient communities that prioritize environmental health. Ultimately, our project goes beyond economic empowerment; it cultivates a holistic approach to sustainability, ensuring that as we create value from waste, we are also committed to protecting and revitalizing the natural ecosystems that are essential for future generations. Through these combined efforts, we are nurturing a vibrant community dedicated to the restoration and stabilization of our planet’s precious ecosystems.

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