Pasig City in the Philippines inaugurated its Innovation for Circular Economy hub on 26 January 2026, with senior diplomats from Nordic countries, the European Union and Japan attending the ceremony.

According to ScandAsia, Mayor Vico Sotto led the opening alongside representatives from local and national government agencies and the United Nations Development Programme. The hub is designed to advance waste recovery, recycling infrastructure and green employment opportunities in the city.

Anna Ferry, Sweden's ambassador to the Philippines, and Peter Dalberg, Denmark's deputy head of mission, participated in the launch ceremony. European Union ambassador Massimo Santoro and Japan's ambassador Endo Kazuya also attended the event.

Santoro said the EU–Philippines Green Economy Partnership is investing over 33 million pesos (€570,000) in equipment and support for the facility. The partnership represents part of broader European commitment to advancing circular economy practices in Southeast Asia.

Endo said the hub includes waste segregation and composting facilities designed to process organic and recyclable materials. The infrastructure aims to reduce landfill dependency whilst creating employment opportunities in waste management and recycling sectors.

The circular economy hub represents Pasig City's commitment to transitioning from linear waste disposal models to resource recovery systems. The facility will serve as a demonstration project for sustainable waste management practices that can be replicated across other Philippine municipalities.

The launch attracted international diplomatic attention due to its alignment with global sustainability goals and climate commitments. Nordic countries have been active supporters of circular economy initiatives across Southeast Asia, providing technical expertise and financial backing for infrastructure development.

The hub will operate as a centre for innovation in waste management technologies, combining segregation, composting and recycling capabilities under a unified facility. Local officials expect the project to generate green jobs whilst addressing municipal waste management challenges.

Learn more about the circular economy hub initiative.