Para sa Maginhawang Pag-Alpas:
Various initiatives strive for ‘greener’
tomorrow this Zero Waste Month
WORDS Adelene Britanico, Cathlyn de Raya, Maria Minerva Melendres, & Kristine Julia Robin
PHOTOS Cathlyn de Raya, Maria Minerva Melendres, & Kristine Julia Robin
CAPTIONS Maria Alliah Jalimao
After a long shopping spree last holiday, it is the perfect time to start off the year of going green.
Last January marked the celebration of Zero Waste Month after the late President Benigno Aquino III issued Proclamation 760 last 2014, declaring January of every year as Zero Waste Month. For years, various initiatives have been integrated to minimize the wasteful consumption of single-use plastics. However, an international study on plastic pollution revealed that the Philippines tops in the contributors to plastic pollution in the oceans among other countries around the world.
With this, the call for zero waste and a sustainable lifestyle has been amplified now more than ever. Amidst the struggles and pushbacks, eco stores, along with some individuals, continue to strive for a greener society.
Maginhawa Eco-Store: Your One-Stop Shop for a Low-Impact Lifestyle
Maginhawa Eco samut sari-sari store is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Quezon City. It is a haven for eco-conscious individuals who are passionate about sustainable living and supporting local businesses.
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Launched on February 8, 2021, even in the height of the pandemic, the Maginhawa eco-store has quickly become a beacon of sustainability. As you step into the store, you’re immediately greeted by a vibrant and cozy atmosphere. The shelves are lined with an array of eco-friendly products, ranging from organic grains and nuts to natural skincare and cleaning supplies. It’s like stepping into a world where every item has been carefully curated to promote a greener lifestyle.
Crafted to inspire. Along with the bustling city in the metro, the Maginhawa samu't-sari store is where noble intentions and determined minds intersect. Photo by Kristine Robin
The store’s layout is designed to inspire and educate visitors on sustainable living. You’ll find helpful signage and displays that explain the environmental impact of plastic waste while providing some tips on how to reduce it. It’s a space that inspires mindful consumption and empowers individuals to make eco-friendly choices.
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One of the key initiatives of the Maginhawa Eco-Store is their encouragement for visitors to bring their bags and containers.
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“Before we even opened the store, we were already practicing not using plastics. Every time we do grocery shopping, we bring our own containers. Here we have a banner “Bring your own lalagyan”, and in case they don’t have it, we have available eco bags, containers, and bottles.” Dakila “Dax” Cutab, owner of Maginhawa Eco-Store said.
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By bringing their own containers, the owner not only reduces the usage of single-use plastic but also inspires others to do the same. It’s a small but significant step towards creating a more sustainable future.
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One of the things that sets the Maginhawa Eco-Store apart is its commitment to supporting local farmers and artisans. They source their products from various suppliers and brands that prioritize eco-friendly practices and materials.
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Some of the products you can find at the Maginhawa Eco-Store include:
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Reusable household items: They offer reusable alternatives to single-use items such as stainless-steel straws, bamboo toothbrushes, and cloth napkins.
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Zero-waste personal care products: You can find shampoo bars, solid soaps, and refillable containers for products like lotion and face wash.
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Sustainable home cleaning supplies: They have eco-friendly cleaning products that are free from harmful chemicals and come in refillable containers.
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Locally sourced food products: The store also supports local farmers and artisans by offering organic and locally sourced food products like fresh produce, grains, and snacks. They have a selection of organic and fair-trade coffee beans sourced from local farmers.
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Upcycled and recycled materials: they have a selection of upcycled and recycled products like bags made from recycled materials and home décor items made from repurposed materials.
Samot-sari. Maginhawa eco store offers a wide array of commodities for individual’s everyday use while promoting a low-impact approach. Photo by Maria Minerva Melendres.
“When it comes to pricing, we are highly competitive,” said Dax.
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They offer a range of sustainable options to cater to different budgets. Spices are at different prices while the teas range from nine pesos per gram and the liquids are sold per ml. Prices for reusable household items, zero-waste personal care products, and sustainable home cleaning supplies can start from around fifty pesos and go up from there.
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But the Maginhawa Eco-Store goes beyond just selling products. The store is also a hub for like-minded individuals to come together, share ideas, and learn from each other.
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“On our part, kahit wala pa kaming ROI (Return on Investment), nagpapatuloy pa rin kami. Not only that, tinuturuan din namin ang mga empleyado na magnegosyo rin sila. For me, lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila hindi kayo habangbuhay na tindera, [hindi] habangbuhay na receptionist.” Dax said.
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The store focuses on promoting a low-impact lifestyle rather than strictly zero-waste. They understand that achieving zero waste can be challenging for everyone, so they aim to provide sustainable alternatives and encourage conscious choices that reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.
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“We’re not zero waste, hindi namin pipropagate na zero waste yung tindahan namin. Kasi may kotse ako, na hindi ko kayang i-sacrifice na may contribution sa emision, yung mga suppliers namin, hindi namin kayang i-dictate na ‘wag kayong magdedeliver dito ng naka-plastic. Ayun yung reality natin eh.” Dax added.
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It’s all about progress, not perfection. Even small steps towards sustainability can make a significant impact. The important thing is that the owner of the Maginhawa Eco-Store is actively promoting and encouraging a low-impact lifestyle. They are creating awareness and providing resources for people to make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives.
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Whether you’re a seasoned eco-warrior or just starting your journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle, the Maginhawa eco-store is a must-visit destination. It’s a place where you can not only shop for eco-friendly products but also gain knowledge and be part of a movement that’s making a difference in our environment.
Beyond monetary value.
What the Maginhawa Eco Store provides is certainly worth more than the price of your peso, as it invests in the future of the next generation.
Photos by Maria Minerva Melendres.
Junior PUP Journalism students visits not only to gather information but also capture a lifelong testament that there's still hope and faith for this seemingly dying world.
Junior PUP Journalism students visits not only to gather information but also capture a lifelong testament that there's still hope and faith for this seemingly dying world.
ALPAS Eco Store: Soaring high midst of trials
Far from the bustling city of Metro Manila lies the thriving zero waste and refill store of Aniban ng Lehitimong Paninirahan ng Ligtas sa Sakuna (ALPAS) Community Housing in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Just like the other eco stores, the ALPAS Eco Store also struggled to encourage the community to adopt such lifestyles.
“Sa una mahirap dahil yung ibang member ay ayaw mag adapt ng ganitong sistema dahil nasanay sila sa plastic [kapag bumibili],” said Jessie Capillo, a volunteer citizen and the Vice Chair of the ALPAS Coop.
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The said eco-store was built and supported by DANA Asia, an international non-profit organization that helps and provides livelihood for communities around the globe while promoting a sustainable and zero-waste lifestyle.
Presenting the "future". Committed to the vision of a zero-waste world, Alpas Homes Village proudly introduces its Eco Store. Photo by Cathlyn De Raya
Meanwhile, it consists of a small group of volunteers from the officers of the ALPAS homeowners’ association who keep the store running, including Capillo. Helen Buena, on the other hand, is the sole saleswoman who keeps the sales of the store. Even though she just received an honorarium for keeping the store, she is still happy because, in that way, she can help in keeping the environment clean.
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“Ako masaya akong nagbo boluntaryo kasi feeling ko, yung sa basura [ay nababawasan]. Para maenggayo rin sila na hindi magkalat,” Buena said.
Every drop counts. Buena meticulously measures every drop and pieces of the items to make sure that the needs for goods are enough to be met.
Photo by Cathlyn De Raya
Aside from having inadequate manpower, they also struggle to keep the prices low amid the continuous surge of inflation, so that the community will patronize the store.
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“Mataas kasi ang presyo kaya ang tubo, kaunti lang; natatalo sa may transportation pa lang,” Capillo stressed.
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Capillo, who has been managing the goods and supplies of the store, has direct contacts with the suppliers of oil, sugar, salt, and poultry eggs. However, they travel to the nearby municipality to directly buy their supply of rice.
Keepin' it low. Despite the continuous inflation surge, ALPAS Eco Store maintains to keep the commodity prices affordable for their community.
Photo by Cathlyn De Raya
Aside from the eco-store, the cooperative has also employed waste segregation and collecting plastic wraps to donate to Green Ants Builders, an environmentally sustainable construction company, to make the scraps into eco-bricks. In fact, the bricks used to build the eco-store are made out of plastic waste.
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Tough start but tougher spirits. They may have struggled but they didn’t let these challenges stop their initiative in minimizing the waste in their community, as after almost a year of operation, the waste has been lessened.
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"Sa loob ng mahigit na isang taon na operation nito, napakarami ng basura na na-minus namin," said Margarita Hernandez, one of the volunteers and ALPAS Coop’s Elecom Chair.
Soaring high for greener tomorrow.
Take a look inside the mounting ALPAS Eco-store in the rising city of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, where dreams and hopes seek each other.
Photos by Cathlyn de Raya
Hernandez is the driving force behind Eco Store's success, as she dedicates her full time to managing the store and serving as the Elecom Chair of Alpas Homes.
A Journey from Talk to Eco-Friendly Walk
Meanwhile, Lester Dellosa, an environmental activist and owner of CICCADA, a sustainable fashion store, also stressed the impact of living a sustainable and zero-waste lifestyle.
"I believe yung biggest contribution ni CICCADA dito sa community, specifically in Legazpi City, would be the wakening of the whole city itself in the idea of sustainability and circular prospect,” Dellosa said.
Seeing and realizing the big problem our country is facing in terms of fashion waste, Dellosa grew heart and passion in coping with it. On August 29, 2019, Dellosa officially launched their fashion store CICCADA.
A seed of greatness. Lester Dellosa exemplifies eco-leadership and advocacy with his unwavering dedication to continue his green initiatives for the environment. Photo courtesy from Lester Dellosa
Meanwhile, it consists of a small group of volunteers from the officers of the ALPAS homeowners’ association who keep the store running, including Capillo. Helen Buena, on the other hand, is the sole saleswoman who keeps the sales of the store. Even though she just received an honorarium for keeping the store, she is still happy because, in that way, she can help in keeping the environment clean.
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“Ako masaya akong nagbo boluntaryo kasi feeling ko, yung sa basura [ay nababawasan]. Para maenggayo rin sila na hindi magkalat,” Buena said.
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Establishing a sustainable fashion store motivated Dellosa to be one of the voices of eco-friendly practices. But as easy as it may sound, Dellosa admitted that transitioning from their old lifestyle to adopting a new one posed considerable challenges.
“You need to walk the talk, hindi pwedeng you’re promoting zero waste cricular processes, tapos ikaw bili ka ng bili. So dun pumapasok yung lifestyle natin,” said Dellosa.
Dellosa had to come up with wise ways to live what they were fighting for. Here are some tips that they shared,
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Hoarding - Finding a retail store that sells items for much lower prices will help you do this tip. Hoarding helps us save a lot of packaging. And less packaging, less waste.
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Buying dry goods - Did you know that shampoos, laundry detergent, and other liquid necessities are now available as dry products too? Buying dry goods could help lower the waste impacts as it requires less packaging.
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Creating a capsule wardrobe - Fashion trends can be stressful sometimes, we tend to buy new clothes to join in. So this is why it’s important to create a capsule wardrobe or buy clothes that can work with other clothes. Not only it can lessen waste, but it can also help us maximize the usage of our garments! Bonus points if you can create your clothes by upcycling.
“It's a little hard. Pero, it's more of conditioning eh. You’re doing this for yourself and for your brand. You have to live through it,” Dellosa said.
While the road to sustainability may be long and challenging, it is a journey worth embarking on—one that promises a brighter and greener tomorrow for us all.
It has never been clearer for a nation grappling with the burden and threat of plastic pollution to heed the call for action on waste management, urging people to make imperative decisions today, mitigating environmental degradation, parents like Buena share their heartfelt concerns and fear of being buried in garbage suffocated beneath our refuses that was looming over future generations if we don't start now.
“Naisip ko ‘yung generation, sa mga anak ko… at mga susunod pa, eh [baka] matatakpan na sila ng mga basura kung hindi natin sisimulan ngayon,” which cannot be overstated.
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Moreover, in the pursuit of aiming for zero waste management, Dax of Maginhawa Store embodies a holistic approach, instilling a culture of ecological mindfulness within their employees as their ethos transcends mere sustainability, they empower and teach their employees to do their own crafts using eco-friendly materials.
“For us, we are encouraging a low impact movement lifestyle instead of zero waste, but still, zero waste is the goal,” it serves as a testament to the power of innovation and dedication.
On the other hand, Lester of CICCADA elucidates a vital truth: it takes two to tango in assessing environmental issues, emphasizing the unity between the government and the citizens.
“The government and the public should go hand-in-hand dealing with these, the government should do their assessment and monitoring more strictly while the public should abide by the laws.” This harmonious convergence of governance and grassroots activism is poised to effect transformative change, advocating a dual approach.
It is evident that we should start the movement towards sustainability as it is a poignant reminder that we cannot wait any longer, and it begins with each of us playing our part—this involves not only advocating for policy changes but also making tangible lifestyle changes, being mindful of our consumption habit, unite in our efforts, supporting eco-stores such as Maginhawa and ALPAS, implementing fashion sustainability strategies like CICCADA which are few examples of meaningful steps towards reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Every action counts. Together, let's pave the way for a brighter and cleaner future for generations to come.
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We would like to thank Maginhawa Eco samut sari-sari store, ALPAS Coop, DANA Asia, Mr. Jessie Capillo, and Mx. Lester Dellosa
for their cooperation in the success of our story.