Ecowaste Coalition and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto Launch Mobile Liquid Soap Refill Station Prototype

23 April 2025, Pasig City. In a bid to promote a plastic-free environment, the EcoWaste Coalition presented a prototype of “Sabon Express” liquid soap refilling station to the City Government of Pasig through its Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO).

The ceremonial launch was held during the flag ceremony last Monday in the presence of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski Jr., SWMO head Allendri Angeles, and other officials.

At the ceremony held in time for the Earth Day celebrations, Anj Aguilos, Plastic Free Pilipinas Project Lead of the EcoWaste Coalition introduced the project and expressed the group’s gratitude to Mayor Sotto and the city government for their support to the zero waste project, which includes the provision of refill start-up stores.

“It is our honor to help strengthen the environmental advocacies of the Pasig City SWMO, together with the barangay leaders and residents. The mobile refill station is one of the many green initiatives that can be undertaken to reduce waste and pollution in your city. It is cost-effective, safe, and plastic-free,” said Aguilos. “Let us continue working together to protect our communities and the planet. Collectively, no matter how small actions are, they make a big difference.”

In response, Mayor Vico thanked the EcoWaste Coalition and expressed his hope for a fruitful partnership between the city and the environmental group: “I hope we can continue and expand what we have started–that we can scale up the prototypes in our next steps together with Pasig City SWMO.”

As stated in the Memorandum of Agreement forged by the city government with the environmental group, the EcoWaste Coalition will establish 10 refill start-up stores in eight barangays and two markets in Pasig City, as well as provide training for store operators and conduct promotional activities to encourage community participation.

The establishment and promotion of refill systems, which can reduce plastic waste and encourage sustainable consumption practices, is an important component of the ongoing collaboration between the Pasig City Government and the EcoWaste Coalition.

Aside from reducing consumption of single-use plastics, the refill initiative will help cut carbon emissions along the supply chain and minimize pollution in air, water, and soil. It will also encourage reuse and reduce reliance on raw materials through a circular economy.

“Letting Pasigueño’s refill containers instead of continuously buying liquid soaps in single-use plastics or sachets will further reinforce community-driven initiatives to prevent and reduce waste,” the EcoWaste Coalition said. “Doing so will empower them to incorporate reuse and refill practices and sustainable choices in their lifestyle.”