Riverrecycle and Asian Development Bank join forces to tackle plastic pollution in Metro Manila

This collaboration marks an important step toward addressing the Philippines’ pressing challenge of plastic waste leakage into rivers and oceans. The joint initiative leverages ADB’s policy and financing expertise, along with RiverRecycle’s river cleaning technology and local operational experience, delivering a practical solution to urban plastic pollution.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with ADB in Manila, a city deeply affected by plastic pollution but also rich in opportunity for change,” said Anssi Mikola, CEO and Founder of RiverRecycle. “Together, we aim to demonstrate that scalable, sustainable, and circular solutions are not only possible, but essential.”

The project in Buhangin Creek, situated within one of Manila’s most densely populated areas, will serve as a pilot site for intercepting plastic waste before it reaches the Pasig River and Manila Bay. RiverRecycle will deploy its floating boom systems and local processing capacity to transform collected plastic waste into durable construction boards, advancing the circular economy and creating local jobs.

This partnership aligns with ADB’s broader environmental agenda, including the Manila City Action Plan for Plastic Circularity and support for the Philippines’ National Plan of Action on Marine Litter. It also contributes to preparations for the forthcoming Global Plastic Treaty, showcasing how public-private collaboration can deliver real impact on the ground.

RiverRecycle currently operates in multiple sites across the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, collecting and repurposing hundreds of tons of plastic waste annually.

As the project takes shape in the coming months, RiverRecycle and ADB will work closely with local authorities, communities, and stakeholders to ensure that this initiative becomes a model for replication across the region.