(Sta. Rosa City) – On 13 July 2026, The Canossa School, Inc. (TCSI) of Sta. Rosa City received national recognition after its ecobrick project was featured on Business Matters, Season 13, Episode 5, on the GMA Network, highlighting the school’s ongoing commitment to reducing plastic pollution through sustainable waste management.
Developed in collaboration with the manufacturing company Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Inc., the project had its initial phases during the 2023–2024 academic year, prior to its official launch in 2025.
Guided by TCSI organisation advisers and leaders of the Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM), with the support of the Canossian Educational Community (CEC), the project promoted environmental responsibility while addressing the growing challenge of plastic waste.
In the previous implementation phase, students produced ecobricks by collecting clean, dry plastic waste and compacting it tightly into 1.5-litre polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. The initiative was carried out through the collective effort of each class, under the guidance of their respective representatives of the Cleaning Committee; upon reaching the required collection target of five kilograms, participating classes received an incentive of bread from Gardenia, part of which was donated to the St. Joseph Bakhita Proximity Service Centre to support people in need.
Subsequently, the ecobricks were used as raw material to produce sustainable recycled school chairs for students in difficulty, as well as other recycled plastic products.
Faced with the persistent challenge of plastic waste, Mia Ebora, former president of the LSM, stated in an interview that the initiative gives the CEC hope that collective action can make a difference. “When we move one step closer to that goal we have with that hope, it is very fulfilling and rewarding,” she said.
The television feature was part of Gardenia’s “Going Green” programme, which highlighted partner institutions promoting plastic waste management and environmental sustainability. The broadcast presented TCSI’s environmental initiative to a national audience, recognising the school’s participation in Gardenia’s sustainability campaign.
“We have to face reality: it is difficult to dispose of plastic, so thank you to Gardenia because they have programmes like this,” said LSM adviser Deianne Monta during the broadcast.
Furthermore, as a final message to the CEC, Ebora shared: “Just because you do not perceive the impact and consequences of wrong actions, it does not mean that nothing is happening. We must not wait and we must act now.”
Photo from GMA Business Matters
Article by Loraine Batitis | Layout by Denise Fernandez and James Reyes | The Lily
Philippines – TCSI’s ecobrick project receives national recognition in the fight against plastic pollution
