Cover Humble Sustainability aims to bring back one billion items into circularity by 2030 (Photo: Humble Sustainability)
Humble Sustainability aims to bring back one billion items into circularity by 2030 (Photo: Humble Sustainability)
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Humble Sustainability, a Philippines-based circular economy solutions startup co-founded by Josef Werker, works with companies to handle excess inventory that might otherwise end up in landfills
Founded in 2021, Humble Sustainability is the climate tech startup helps companies sell their old IT equipment instead of letting it collect dust and ultimately throwing it away.
Co-founded by Josef Werker, Humble Sustainability aims to bring back one billion items into circularity by 2030 by guiding clients in achieving their ESG objectives through data-driven reports and analytics. By repurposing the products and working with recyclers, resellers and refurbished, the company helps reduce e-waste and enables businesses to meet their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
It’s now a step closer to realising this ambitious goal, having secured significant funding to amplify its circular economy initiatives in the Philippines and soon across the region.
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This latest investment round, led by Asia-focused venture capital firm Gobi Partners via the Gobi-Core Philippine Fund, saw contributions from the National Development Company through the Startup Venture Fund, Double River Impact, Equitrust Holdings Inc and a host of strategic corporations and angel investors, including those from the XA Network.
“We’re delighted to back Humble Sustainability’s mission and growth locally and globally, contributing to the circular economy’s expansion. Considering Asia has been previously recorded to contribute to almost half the world’s e-waste, it's encouraging to witness the rise of circular economy initiatives in the Philippines,” Gobi-Core Philippine Fund co-founder and managing partner Jason Gaisano said.
Read more: The sustainability startup helping other businesses earn while closing the loop
Above Josef Werker is the co-founder and CEO of Philippines-based Humble Sustainability (Photo: Humble Sustainability)
Josef Werker is the co-founder and CEO of Philippines-based Humble Sustainability (Photo: Humble Sustainability)
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The company’s sustainability mission supports its partners’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals by creating ESG funds for donation or financing. Werker emphasised the importance of this milestone: “It feels like just yesterday that we planted the seed for Humble, largely inspired by my mother’s commitment to climate activism. I hope this milestone makes her proud. We’ve come a long way. However, we have our feet firmly on the ground and there’s so much to do, so let’s get to work!”
Since its inception, Humble Sustainability has diverted over 250,000 kilograms of e-waste from landfills—equivalent to 116,279 laptops, 6,250 air conditioners or 185 Honda Civics—by partnering with over 75 leading B2B clients, including Canva, Manulife and Sunlife. The new funding will fuel its ambitious plans for national expansion and lay the groundwork for regional growth.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
