Mondelēz International Holds Manila Bay Coastal Cleanup

• Recovered plastic turned over to Aling Tindera community plastic collection partner
• Employee volunteering to better understand the challenges of waste management

In line with its #SustainableSnacking commitment and advocacy for responsible waste management, Mondelēz International in the Philippines recently joined a coastal cleanup at Harbor View Front along Manila Bay. The event was held in partnership with Friends of HOPE, PCX Markets, the local government of Manila and the company’s employee volunteers.

The shoreline of Manila Bay—one of the country’s iconic yet polluted bodies of water—served as a fitting venue. Located in a dense urban area, the site offered participants a clear, local view of the environmental impact of unmanaged waste, underscoring the need for collective action. “Manila Bay is part of the ecosystem we live in, and seeing the waste firsthand makes our impact more tangible,” said Caitlin Punzalan, Corporate and Government Affairs Lead, Mondelēz International in the Philippines.

The activity brought together Mondelēz International employees, joining forces with local volunteers to remove plastic waste, collecting a total of 60 kilograms of waste, composed of both plastic and non-plastic material. “At Mondelez International, we believe even small, but consistent actions can lead to big impact,” Punzalan shared. “Our coastal cleanup effort is just one way our colleagues are putting our #SustainableSnacking agenda into motion—by showing up for the communities and ecosystems we share. It’s also a learning experience for them, to see the realities of the waste management issue in our community.”

Plastic waste collected during the cleanup was carefully weighed by Friends of Hope through its flagship collection program Aling Tindera. This ensured proper documentation and traceability of the recovered materials—an important step in supporting the circular waste economy.

Aling Tindera is Friends of HOPE’s pioneering waste-to-cash initiative which aims to promote the collection and diversion of plastic waste from nature, while educating the public on responsible waste management practices. In each site, residents can bring their collected plastic waste from home and exchange it for cash. By establishing these networks of neighborhood sustainability champions, Mondelēz International and its partners aim to inspire behavior change and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.

According to Rudi Ramin, Commercial Director at PCX Markets, “Partnerships like these are critical in moving the needle on plastic waste recovery. Mondelēz International has been a consistent and engaged stakeholder—actively working with us to not only meet compliance, but to help empower local communities through the Aling Tindera network.”

This coastal cleanup is part of a broader sustainability journey for Mondelēz International. In 2024, the company was recognized with the Plastic Cleanup Partner badge, awarded to organizations that exceeded compliance targets under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law—a reflection of the company’s drive to go above and beyond what is mandated.

To further scale its impact, Mondelēz International has supported the establishment of two Aling Tindera collection hubs in Barangay BF Homes and SM City Sucat, created in close collaboration with Friends of Hope and PCX Markets. These hubs offer local communities accessible drop-off points for plastic waste, while also supporting livelihood opportunities for women micro-entrepreneurs.

“Beyond just compliance, we see this as our responsibility to the environment and to future generations,” added Punzalan. “It’s not just about picking up plastic, it’s about building better systems, engaging our people, and making sustainability a part of our everyday culture.”