These 5 brands are leading the way to a zero-waste Philippines
More and more people are becoming a part of the zero-waste movement here in the Philippines. But where there are opportunities, there are also challenges, and the road to producing absolutely no waste won’t be smooth given how Filipinos heavily rely on single-use materials. In every city, you’ll find plastic straws, to-go cups, food wrappers, sachets, and more. It also doesn’t help that there’s little to no incentive for establishments to produce as little waste as possible. Fortunately, there are several brands and shops that advocate sustainable living through their products. Below are some of our favorite brands where you can get zero-waste goodies:
Keep Cup is an Australian-born company whose mission is to kick start “the demise of the disposable” by encouraging the use of reusable cups. They offer an array of colorful reusable cups available in various sizes that can be used not only for coffee but all kinds of beverages. Their official distributor here in the Philippines is Cupping Initiative. You can order their products through Instagram and Facebook or visit Ella and the Blackbird located in Quezon City.
Looking to kick the plastic habit? This here’s a good start. You can get reusable metal straws from Zero Waste Philippines if you don’t want to use plastic straws anymore. They offer metal straws as well as bamboo straws if you want to avoid having cold or hot metal on your lips when drinking. You can get a straw for as low as P39 or a bundle of two metal straws and a bamboo straw for only P139.
No need to get a new plastic toothbrush every three months if you have a bamboo toothbrush from Minka Ventures. Their environment-friendly toothbrushes are not only sturdy but also available in various types. You can get one with the original bamboo look, with charcoal bristles, and even a toothbrush specially designed for kids. These are perfect practical eco-friendly gifts and giveaways!
The brand started in February 2017 as a seller of reusable straws. It then expanded to offering beeswax wraps that can be used for storing food. These wraps are all-natural and anti-bacterial. Cleaning them is also a breeze making them ideal for reuse. Island Happy’s mission is “to create a lifestyle hub for anyone who is committing to a more sustainable, eco-friendly and zero-waste life.”
The amount of plastic waste generated by women every month because of napkins and tampons is unimaginable. Good thing there are forward-thinking folks like those of Sinaya Cup providing a zero-waste alternative in the silicone menstrual cup. This brand promotes a zero-waste lifestyle by donating menstrual cups to local communities and educating women about waste reduction and menstrual health.
