Six years after GAIA Asia Pacific and Mother Earth Foundation launched the Zero Waste Academy in May 2017, models have been developed not only in the Philippines, but also in other countries in Asia and beyond through the leadership of the ZWA graduates. These models integrated hundreds of waste workers and waste pickers in the Zero Waste system, instituted segregated waste collection and waste assessment and brand audits, established materials recovery facilities, and regulated single-use plastic, resulting in improved solid waste management, waste reduction, and Zero Waste jobs generation.

2 ZERO WASTE ISLANDS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Apo Island, an Island barangay in Dauin, Negros Oriental
Siquijor Island, an island province consisting of six municipalities
5 Barangays in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental 2

6 MODELS BEYOND THE PHILIPPINES
• Bandung, Indonesia
• Cimahi, Indonesia
• Bali, Indonesia
• Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• Hoi An, Vietnam
• Four municipalities in Ghana spanning the Ashanti region and two major cities: Accra and Cape Coast
Besides model building, graduates have likewise conducted their own version of the Zero Waste Academy to capacitate their staff and partners in implementing a community Zero Waste program. Some localized ZWA focused on implementation, while others focused on policy campaigning. More ZWAs were conducted by graduates resulting in more and more Zero Waste implementers and advocates reaching out to more people and making program implementation possible.
• One in Vietnam
• Two in Indonesia B

FROM STUDENTS TO CHAMPIONS
Not too long ago, they were students eager to learn how to establish Zero Waste programs in Philippine communities. After graduating from Mother Earth and GAIA’s Zero Waste Academy, they are now Zero Waste champions, transforming communities and cities into Zero Waste models, bringing their communities’ realities to national and policy spaces, and campaigning for Zero Waste solutions. Our graduates are at the forefront of making Zero Waste possible!