BAGUIO CITY — Ten youth-led and grassroots startups fighting plastic pollution will be presented to Baguio and Benguet business and community leaders today, November 13, at the Baguio-Benguet Startup Subgrantees launch.
The ten teams are the final subgrantees of Circle Works, a grassroots incubation and acceleration program run by Vivita Philippines. The Baguio Business Club and the MBLISTT Development Authority will introduce them to business owners, community leaders and development partners who can help them grow.
The launch follows the program’s April kickoff at the University of Baguio Centennial Hall, where Vivita held workshops on circular business models, a Repair Café for mending household items, and a talk on startup funding.
Circle Works is funded by the European Union through its Global Gateway Initiative and implemented by Expertise France, with the Department of Trade and Industry as co-lead. It is part of the EU–Philippines Green Economy Partnership.
“We want to empower them to put up a business that focuses on our anti-plastic pollution drive,” said Gabe Mercado, executive director of Vivita Philippines and lead of Circle Works.
The program is open to teams aged 35 and under, including students as young as senior high school. Established companies cannot join. Organizers favor businesses that help people avoid plastic altogether, like neighborhood “tingi” refill stations, over businesses built on recycling.
Two grantees use the region’s pine needles: Ecoverde makes charcoal briquettes, and rePINEd makes biodegradable packaging. Greenfields sets up plastic drop-off points where Benguet farmers already gather. Farmers earn points they can redeem for produce crates made from that plastic, which cuts both waste and produce loss.
Ikot Market brings mobile refill stations to neighborhoods, while Circuflow is building an automated refill vending system. Pimbrera PH lends reusable food containers to event organizers and handles their collection and cleaning. Tasarap Ecobites makes edible cups, and Creative Capital Bridge offers sustainable catering.
Pawmilyko turns discarded textiles into washable pet products while creating livelihood for local makers. Sinop PH runs a platform that sends unwanted clothes to donation, repair and recycling partners.
Each team will give a five-minute pitch, followed by networking at the startup booths. Mercado, Baguio Business Club director Hansel David Co and MBLISTTDA administrator Dr. Maria Monica C. Costales will give welcome remarks. Mayor Benjamin Magalong, city planning office head Architect Donna Tabangin and DTI-CAR Regional Director Atty. Raymond G. Panhon will deliver messages of support. By Maria Elena Catajan
