Mapa Sustina

For as long as humans have lived, we have learned how to reuse, repair, and recycle the things that we need. Today, as the world produces new materials at a scale never seen before, there are those attempting to reuse, repair, and recycle at the same scale.

The term “circular economy” was first used formally in the 1990s, posed by economists as an alternative to the current linear economy where businesses take resources, make products, and then leave behind waste. It asks two questions: What if businesses were responsible for the waste they left behind? And secondly, what if we could design waste out altogether?

Beyond just avoiding waste, a circular economy asks society to rebuild natural systems that we have lost, rather than continuing to extract from them — taking cues from pre-colonial, indigenous knowledge that only takes what is needed from the land.

Across the globe, countries are already shifting to circular models: The European Union wants to double its overall circularity rate from around 12% to 24% by 2030, with a new Circular Economy Act due in 2026 to turn the EU into a global leader. In Asia, Japan has had a national circularity framework in place for over two decades, while Taiwan is aiming to release a roadmap by the end of 2026.

In the Philippines, national circular economy laws are still pending legislation.

Mapa Sustina is a geo-referenced map of circular and nature-positive solutions across the Philippines. It is a visual reminder that despite the absence of a circular economy bill, circular businesses and projects are already here.

All of these businesses or projects either prevent waste before it happens (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce), keep a product useful for longer (Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose) or give new purpose to products that have reached the end of their lives (Recycle, Recover).

Yes, if it recycles or reuses waste, extends product life, or provides a nature-positive alternative to wasteful processes.

There is no fee for applying or for being listed, however all organizations must be screened by the Sustina Lab team. We can only consider those with a demonstrable record of measured impact. (This can be in the form of certifications, impact reports, and other documents.) If this applies to you and your work, apply here.