From Trash to Cash .

Paper bags hanging hidden inside a shanty, April 2009

Creating income opportunities and public awareness in Ormoc City, Leyte

It’s a nice and somewhat surprising little story to tell. Walking with eyes wide open through Ormoc City, one day in April 2009, a bunch of recycled paper bags hanging outside a shanty, struck my sight. Just hanging there in the sun and maybe they would still hang there if not a series of events would have taken place.

I was wondering, where did this woman acquire her skill? And how come those little treasures existed rather unrecognized?

I learned that In November 2008 four Ormocanon women participated in a skills training of how to make bags out of old newspapers, organized by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Palompon, Leyte. Those recycling trainings have their roots in prior development assistance programs of DED in Bais City, Negros Oriental. In 2001 DED started to organize a "Women recycling group" in Bais City. Since then further women recycling groups have been established in Buenavista, Guimaras and in Iloilo Province, Panay. Contributing to sound Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices and creating additional income are the main motivations for these projects. The four women of Ormoc obviously had acquired some reclycing skills during the training but were yet unable to market and promote their products in ordner to make a living out of it.

Recycling training for 20 women in Barangay Linao May 2009

The newly created IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) team on Solid Waste Management (SWM) of Ormoc City supported by DED decided therefore to support the women in their recycling activities and in promoting their products. Through producing beautiful paper bags and other recycled products from doy packs and plastic sachets, the team intended to attract a wider public for SWM issues and help to create additional income for the women.

In cooperation with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the support of Public Affairs and Development Office (PAIAD) as well as the chairman of SWM Hon. Jose Alfaro the IEC team organized a two-day training in May 2009 whereas the four women trained by GTZ passed on their recycling skills (paper bags and jewelry) to 20 women of barangay Linao. The activity was surprisingly well accepted by the women as well as supported by the City and Barangay.

Sale of recycled products during Ormoc Fiesta June 2009

To keep the excitement alive, the IEC team organized, together with the women trained, the setting up of an exhibit and a four-day sale during the celebration of Ormoc Fiesta in June 2009. Good attendance and appreciation, several sales and media presence led to ongoing awareness of the project. The exhibit showcased different recycled products that captured the attention and appreciation of guests present and the media.

Appreciation of paper jewelries by the audience

Due to the exhibit in August 2009, three persons were invited by Visayan State University (VSU) to carry out a workshop on “Paper Bag Making” during the 85^th founding anniversary of VSU. But the major outcome of the presentation during Ormoc Fiesta was the integration of the ‘Recycling skills training activity’ into the livelihood program of the CSWDO. Between May and September 2009 CSWDO staff with the help of two women trainers carried out 27 trainings in 22 different barangays comprising 77 days of training for around 400 Ormocanan women.

Stall for recycled/native products in Ormoc City

While the IEC team kept on meeting with the core women of the group to talk about cost accounting, simple book keeping and design and marketing strategies, the demand for the recycled products continuously increased. The women put up a stall to present their products to the public. The CSWDO organized a big ceremony for the graduates of the training program including exhibit and fashion show of the recycled products. And once again the event was assisted by increased support from city councilors.

Meanwhile the Ormoc paper bags and jewelries went to Manila and were exhibited during the “Mabuhay Germany” fair and the "Philippine Sociological Society National Conference" at the Ateneo de Manila University in October 2009. Lately the recycled products were again presented and sold during a one week celebration for the Ormoc Charter Day. Funny thing to see, that the recycling idea had been picked up by schools and cooperatives who were now exhibiting and selling their recycled products side by side with the women. Competition has started! Also the new tourism office of Ormoc City is supporting the recycling project by advertising the recycled products in their new ‘Pasalubong Center’ through poster stickers

Graduation of 156 women trained in recycling

I am happy that the bags have found their way to different places, various bag owners and a whole lot of curious eyes. Hopefully professionalism of the women will be increased by various trainings and a close follow up by CSWDO in order to assure quality products and ongoing activities, and most of all a sustainable income for the women.