Waste collection efforts /
As part of our environmental efforts, we are conducting weekly beach clean ups & waste audits around the island.
Facing the struggles of efficient waste collection and disposal, Siquijor Island is tackling the issue from its source by pushing residents to limit internal waste production and trying to become as “zero waste” as possible. Already laws and regulations are in place banning single-use plastics, organizing sorting, recycling and up-cycling facilities in each barangays.
Unfortunately, aside from the waste produced in the island, Siquijor’s central location in the bohol / mindanao sea, place it in a central location for the daily washing ashore of yearly tons of marine debris floating with the currents and tides, coming from here, but as well Mindanao, Bohol, Apo, Cebu, Negros, and much further (even other countries).
During our weekly beach clean ups, we have grown curious about gathering reliable data to help us get a bigger picture on the type of waste we collect. For this reason aside from simple collection and sorting for proper disposal, we started conducting waste audits whenever possible, tracking in details the type of waste and materials collected.
Learn More about the waste we collect
Since 2025
Beach clean up data
17
waste audits following our methodology as part of our WEEKLY beach clean ups, 11 in 2026.
45
minutes collecting waste every time with an average of 9 volunteers
54,925
pieces of marine debris collected including 40,360 pieces since January 2026.
1,050
kilos of marine debris collected including 770kg since January 2026.
Waste collected per categories
Waste collection statistics per categories varies greatly depending on which perspective we decide to look at them: weight or units. Because so many of the debris collected are lightweight but extremely harmful, we commonly assess the impact per unit collected. In light of this, approximately 96% of the waste collected (in pieces) on the beaches of Siquijor is composed of various type of plastics. From Hard plastic, Soft Plastics and Foam, more than 16,906 pieces of plastic were collected in 2025 and already 38,165 pieces of plastic since the beginning of 2026.
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What are the plastics we find? (since 2026)
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While majority of the marine debris on the beach are made of plastic, we find very different kinds. Hard Plastics account for the majority of it, among which an important percentage were originally recyclable. However, after a long time on the beach / ocean, their ability to be recycled will now depend on their condition, if they are not too damaged by the sand / salt / sun.
While technically made from recyclable materials, Flexible Hard plastics, are usually too thin and contaminated by food to ever be recycled, especially when collected from beach clean ups. Having collected more than 5018 pieces since the beginning of the year is a powerful reminder of how easy they could be prevented with reusable alternatives.
Soft plastic debris represents an important percentage of the waste and some of the most harmful types of plastics. Majority are non recyclables, preventable, and high source of choking for marine life who tends to ingest it.
More?
Visit our blogs or instagram for more photos, and videos of our clean up activities.