
Epson Philippines and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines have completed their latest joint initiative, “Project UPcycle,” aimed at promoting circular economy and empowering the local community in Burgos, Siargao Island.
The project focused on plastic upcycling, transforming waste into valuable products through the A.T.E. (A Textile Empowering) Sewing Atelier, a social enterprise that provides livelihood opportunities to local women.
With new equipment, renovated facilities, and capacity-building workshops, Project UPcycle has significantly enhanced A.T.E.’s upcycling capabilities.
The project has also empowered the women of A.T.E. to continue transforming plastic waste into valuable products while generating more income and working towards a greener environment.


Through Project UPcycle, A.T.E.’s plastic recycling facility has been transformed into a fully functional Recycling Art Studio. This serves as a hub for collecting, segregating, and processing plastic waste, to be upcycled into eco-filled products such as bean bags, coasters, flowerpots, furniture, keychains, and plastic lumber.
The Recycling Art Studio is also open to receiving recyclables from community members, in exchange for household items such as canned goods, or services like washing machine use. They also provide refillable products as an option.
Under Project UPcycle, A.T.E. Sewing Atelier received four additional sewing machines, which increased the enterprise’s production by 27%. The social enterprise’s average monthly income increased by 76%—from P280,000 to P494,000.
The additional equipment allowed A.T.E. to grow its team from 10 to 14 staff members , coming from the local community.
Apart from the sewing machines, the project provided A.T.E. with two laptops and one Epson printer with a scanner to improve their business efficiency.
Project UPcycle likewise launched two workshops on business planning, marketing, and financial management for 18 employees at A.T.E.