Sustainable & Zero Waste Project

12/04/2026

The Philippines has been identified as a major source of ocean plastic waste.

World Bank Flags PH As Major Contributor To Ocean Plastic Pollution

The World Bank reported that the Philippines is among the top contributors to marine plastic waste, with nearly nine percent of mismanaged plastic ending up in the ocean each year. Over 0.3 million metric tons of plastic enter the sea annually.

The report cited rapid urbanization, weak waste systems, and heavy use of single use plastics as key factors, warning of impacts on health, tourism, and natural resources.

08/04/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿! 🪡

ReFair 2026 is a community event for Ateneo students and employees that moves to rethink the throwaway culture by learning skills to repair and repurpose the things we consume, and to refill our life with sustainable habits. Get involved to shrink your consumption impact and live a more intentional, sustainable life! ♻️💭

We invite you to explore the ReFair partner booths featuring eco-friendly products, refill options, and ideas for mindful living at the LS Promenade on April 14 to 16! 🌏❤️

𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩! 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚! 🫢

Join our workshops and learn more about sustainable crafts and conscious consumption with our partner organizations at the Colayco Pavilion.

1️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽
April 14 (Tuesday, 2:00pm-4:30pm)
In partnership with South Sea Gems, be engaged in an intricate hands-on crafting activity to make DIY seaglass macrame bracelets from repurposed materials.

2️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
April 16 (Thursday, 9:00am-11:30am)
In partnership with Restore Solutions PH, you’ll learn about mindful consumption and how everyday choices can help reduce plastic waste. Participants will also join a hands-on crafting activity where they’ll create something unique using recycled plastics
demonstrating how waste materials can be creatively repurposed into meaningful items.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝗥 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸:
go.ateneo.edu/ReFair2026 🌱

08/04/2026

[THIS WORKSHOP IS MOVED TO A NEW SCHEDULE!]

𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿’𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽! 🌱

Join our 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 workshop and learn how simple, mindful actions can reduce plastic waste. In partnership with 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗛, gain insights from Miguel Yorro, VP for Business Development, Sustainability, and Product Innovation on eco-friendly solutions and responsible plastic usage. Participants will also be able to work on a hands-on crafting activity creating something unique from recycled plastics! ♻️

📍 Colayco Pavilion
📅 April 15 (Wednesday)
⏰ 2:00–4:30 PM

Restore Solutions PH will also be having a booth at ReFair so be sure to drop by LS Promenade and check out their products! 🛍️

Don’t forget to register to reserve a slot through go.ateneo.edu/ReFair2026 as these are LIMITED! ✍️

30/03/2026

ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OFF-GRID LIVING
This technical illustration presents a comprehensive overview of the primary structures and systems required to maintain a self-sufficient, off-grid homestead. The infographic uses a vintage, conceptual style to categorize different architectural elements based on their utility—ranging from food production and storage to energy management and maintenance—highlighting how each component contributes to a closed-loop living environment.

KEY COMPONENTS & FEATURES
• Residential & Energy Hubs:
• Main Cabin: The central living quarters, designed with a focus on "Home & Heat," typically utilizing wood-burning stoves for climate control.
• Woodshed: A dedicated structure for seasoning and storing firewood, ensuring a dry, sustainable fuel source for heating and cooking.
• Food Production & Security:
• Greenhouse: A glass or polycarbonate structure enabling year-round cultivation of vegetables, protecting crops from seasonal frost.
• Chicken Coop: Provides secure housing for poultry, facilitating consistent food security through fresh egg production.
• Storage & Preservation:
• Root Cellar: Featured in both semi-subterranean and fully earth-sheltered designs, these use the thermal mass of the ground for "Natural Refrigeration" and long-term storage of hardy crops like potatoes and carrots.
• Resource Management & Utility:
• Rainwater Collector: A system utilizing roof runoff, gutters, and storage tanks (IBC totes and barrels) to provide a localized water supply.
• Workshop: A specialized space equipped with tools for DIY projects, repairs, and the fabrication of homestead essentials.

CONCEPT SUMMARY
The image serves as a functional blueprint for modern homesteading, emphasizing the transition from reliance on public utilities to localized, sustainable systems. By integrating specific architectural solutions for water collection, thermal food storage, and protected agriculture, the illustration demonstrates how a well-planned layout can provide a high degree of autonomy and resilience against external supply chain disruptions.

30/03/2026

26/03/2026

Building a solar food dehydrator stops your harvest from going to waste and eliminates the high cost of running an electric oven for hours to dry your garden snacks.

Trying to dry fruit and herbs inside often leads to sticky messes on your counters and uses a massive amount of electricity that heats up your whole house. A solar dehydrator fixes this by using the free power of the sun and natural moving air to gently remove moisture while keeping your food safe from bugs and birds. It solves the problem of having way too many Big Boy tomatoes or Gala apples at once by turning them into lightweight snacks that stay good in your pantry for months.

You will save so much money on your grocery bill because you can make your own dried mangoes, jerky, and kale chips without any chemical preservatives. The screened walls let the wind carry away the dampness while the wooden frame keeps the heat inside to speed up the process. It also gives you a dedicated spot in your yard to process your harvest so your kitchen stays clean and organized.

Start by building a tall wooden box using rot resistant cedar or pine boards that are about one inch thick for strength. Cut a door for the front and use small metal hinges and a simple latch to keep it closed tight against hungry squirrels. Cover all four sides and the roof with a fine metal screen like aluminum window screening and use a heavy duty staple gun to secure it every two inches so no flies can get inside.

Build several sliding trays using thin wood strips and more metal screening so air can move up through the bottom of the food. For the best results, place a piece of clear plexiglass over the south facing side or the roof to trap even more heat from the sun while the mesh sides let the moisture out. Place your dehydrator on a level bed of crushed limestone gravel to keep it steady and away from damp grass.

Slice your fruits and vegetables into thin, even pieces and lay them in a single layer on the trays so they dry at the same time. You can dry herbs like Common Sage and Munstead Lavender very quickly by placing them on the top shelves where the air is the warmest. Adding a dark piece of metal at the very bottom of the box will act like a heater by soaking up the sun and warming the air as it rises through your food.

Wipe down the wooden trays with a bit of white vinegar and water after every use to keep the wood clean and safe for your next batch of food. Store the dehydrator in your shed or under a porch during the winter to keep the wood from getting too wet and to make sure the screen stays tight and strong.

25/03/2026

A quick guide to understanding the language of your plants 😉🍃