Younger founders and innovators are at the forefront of sustainability initiatives. These enthusiastic individuals are raising awareness about climate change and transforming it into practical projects that address environmental issues.
In the fields of fashion, waste innovation, and social enterprise, leaders from Generation Z are creating projects that challenge traditional methods of production, usage, and recycling of products.
Here are some of the youth-led sustainability initiatives shaping the Philippines’ green transition.
Circular fashion through clothing rental
Started in 2024 by Gen Z entrepreneurs Ina Cruz, Rocio Escaño, and Sam Villavicencio, Continuiti offers a fashion rental service in the Philippines that encourages people to access clothes rather than own them.
Rather than purchasing new items for single use, consumers have the option to borrow clothes. This helps prolong the life of the products and promotes wearing them multiple times, serving as an alternative to frequently buying new items.
Upcycling discarded textiles into new products
Circularity is significant for the brand REPAMANA, a social enterprise founded by Alessandra Gutierrez.
The organization transforms used hotel textiles into new clothing and items, promoting the reuse of textiles as a method to reduce waste and as a community-oriented production approach.
Turning unconventional waste into eco-solutions
Youth-led business Capilli has been acknowledged within the UNDP/Youth Co:Lab Youth Social Innovation Lab (YSIL) ecosystem and was featured as one of the projects showcased at the program’s final pitch event in 2024.
Founded by John Laborte, the project explores the use of discarded human hair for environmental advantages, such as addressing pollution, and extends circular thinking beyond typical recycling methods.
Recycled plastics for urban infrastructure
Student innovators are increasingly getting involved in sustainability efforts. The team behind Plastipave, a project linked to Ateneo de Manila University, created paving blocks using recycled plastic and received recognition at Quezon City’s Startup QC student innovation showcase.
The concept highlights a practical link between waste diversion and climate-resilient urban materials.
Building regional ecosystems for youth-led green ventures
Beyond individual startups, platforms are being created to help young leaders in sustainability.
The Philippines organized the Youth Co:Lab Summit 2024 at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Manila, bringing together young social entrepreneurs from the Asia-Pacific region and highlighting solutions that focus on climate and include inclusive business models.
Youth activism pushing plastic and ocean action
Youth environmental work also shows up through organizing and advocacy. The Break Free From Plastic Youth Ambassador Program trains young people to lead campaigns against plastic pollution, with a 2024 intake expanding the program’s youth network.
Mary Jane Lamoste has been recognized in materials about young leaders in ocean conservation as a young ocean leader from the Philippines and as a representative for the Asia region connected to the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. This shows how young people from the Philippines are also gaining influence in areas related to protecting the ocean.
From rental fashion and textile upcycling to recycled infrastructure and plastic activism, Gen Z sustainability leaders are redefining how environmental action takes shape.
In today’s generation, efforts to address climate change are more often integrated into how businesses operate and how communities come together, changing the way people consume goods, produce items, and participate in civic activities.
