Rezbin: Building Habits for a Greener Future

Rezbin is a Philippine-based waste technology company that makes recycling simple, convenient, and rewarding for everyone. By combining AI-powered technology, habit-building systems, and a network of collection partners, Rezbin helps communities, businesses, and institutions launch and sustain effective recycling initiatives. The platform transforms ordinary bins into powerful recycling stations where people can earn rewards for their recyclables, while also providing education and tools to promote long-term behavior change. With that, let’s dive deeper into its mission and innovation with its CEO and Co-Founder, Mari Martirez.

Can you tell us the story behind the founding of Rezbin and what inspired you to start this journey?

The idea for Rezbin was born during a Christmas break in Iloilo, where my sister and I found ourselves in a family conversation about sustainability and the growing waste problem in the Philippines. Coming from a startup background as Product Director at Kumu and with my sister running a logistics startup during the pandemic, we both understood the challenges and opportunities of building impactful ventures. We talked about the urgent need for solutions, but at the time, we weren’t ready to commit.

A couple of months later, in February 2023, a report went viral declaring the Philippines the world’s largest ocean plastic polluter. That news hit us deeply and became the turning point. By March, I decided to leave my role at Kumu to start Rezbin, and a month after, my sister joined as co-founder. Rezbin was built on the urgency to act, with the belief that solving the waste problem is not just important but necessary for the future of our environment.

Rezbin is described as the most awarded waste technology company in the Philippines. What do you think sets your solution apart from other recycling initiatives?

Waste management is often viewed as a logistics-heavy industry, with the assumption that solving the problem simply requires building more recycling facilities. But after conducting extensive research and engaging with stakeholders across the waste landscape, we realized that even if we built a hundred recycling plants, the problem would persist if Filipinos do not segregate recyclables at the source. For any waste management system in the Philippines to succeed, segregation must begin at the point of disposal, and this understanding is at the heart of Rezbin’s approach. We position ourselves as the easiest way for any establishment or institution to start a recycling initiative by providing a complete solution that works in many different sectors.

What sets Rezbin apart is that we don’t just provide bins or collection services; we deliver an end-to-end system that makes recycling easy, rewarding, and sustainable. Our AI-powered technology turns any bin into a powerful recycling station encouraging consumers to drop-off their recyclables accessibly and gamifying the experience through rewards and other behavioral nudges.. Ultimately, we recognize that the waste problem is less about infrastructure and more about behavior, and Rezbin’s mission is to solve this root cause by making proper waste disposal convenient, engaging, and rewarding for everyone.

What kind of impact has Rezbin had so far—whether in terms of waste diverted, communities engaged, or partnerships formed?

For us at Rezbin, the greatest impact has been the hope we bring to organizations and communities who once felt the waste crisis in the Philippines was unsolvable. One of our clients shared that through our work, they now believe there is a real chance to address this challenge, and that kind of feedback is what drives us forward. Beyond the numbers, it is the inspiration and motivation we provide that truly matter, because when people see that their actions contribute to a larger solution, it sparks a sense of responsibility and even bayanihan. Our goal has always been to make Filipinos feel empowered in doing their part, and by instilling this sense of hope and collective purpose, we believe we can create lasting change together.

Can you share any success stories where Rezbin made a tangible difference for a community or business?

When we first launched in Iloilo City, one of our partners shared that they had previously tried running a recycling initiative but failed because people didn’t segregate properly or stay engaged. They had spent resources on the program, and within a month, it was abandoned. When we introduced our system, engagement started modestly at just 5% in the first week, which was what they had expected based on past experience. But by the second week, participation jumped to 30%, then 70% by the third, and an impressive 80% by the fourth week.

This transformation happened because we focused on building consistent habits and supporting the community over time, rather than expecting instant results. Helping people change their behavior requires patience, guidance, and reinforcement, which we provide through our methodologies and technology. That 80% engagement rate was incredibly meaningful for our partner, as it represented a shift from virtually zero recycling behavior to widespread adoption. We’ve since extended this impact beyond local communities in Iloilo to schools, offices, and residential buildings, proving that sustainable change is possible wherever Rezbin is present.

Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for Rezbin and the future of recycling in the Philippines?

Our long-term vision for Rezbin is to make recycling truly convenient and accessible for all Filipinos, so that when people are taught about recycling, they can easily put it into practice. Through partnerships, we are slowly formalizing the waste economy. We see our services sustainably and financially benefiting stakeholders along the waste value chain, from collectors to junk shops to recycling facilities.

We are also working to expand to other waste types - with e-waste, textile, glass, and food waste in our pipeline. Stepping into other waste types will broaden our scope, drive significant impact, and will allow us to benefit and work with more stakeholders. By working with various sectors, we hope to establish our presence everywhere and inspire a culture of segregation at source and drive the country toward a more sustainable future.

Lastly, we envision expansion both across the Philippines and internationally to improve recycling systems across borders through low-cost and scalable technology.

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Mari Martirez is the CEO and Co-Founder of Rezbin, a pioneering waste technology company in the Philippines that makes recycling easy, fun, and rewarding. Under his leadership, Rezbin has grown into one of the most awarded waste technology companies in the Philippines. Through technology-driven solutions and a strong focus on behavior change, Mari is dedicated to making recycling convenient and inspiring collective action toward a more sustainable future.

Visit www.techshake.asia if you would like to know and connect more with Rezbin.