These stores are helping curb Metro Manila’s plastic problem by allowing people to reuse their containers

By now, the plastic problem of the Philippines is widely reported and definitely well-known.

A UN report recently showed the Philippines is among the five countries that produce half of the plastic that end up in the oceans, while salt samples from the Philippines have tested positive for micro-plastic.

It’s a serious problem, if we may spell it out.

Thankfully, more and more people are trying to find solutions. There's Starbucks offering a P10-discount to customers with a tumbler, regardless of brand, buying coffee.

READ: There's no failing in going 'zero waste'

There’s Unilever partnering up with the Technological Institute of the Philippines to come up with sustainable alternatives to plastic solutions.

There’s a sustainable fair happening this weekend gathering brands that can help anybody looking to jumpstart a conscious lifestyle. 

And finally, these establishments that feature a refill distribution of certain goods. Meaning: you can bring in your plastic container and fill them up with goods from the store. This practice, as you may imagine, can help eliminate plastic use.

Mess Bessy

This social enterprise offering natural, biodegradable home and personal care products is the latest to join the refill revolution. Last weekend, Messy Bessy opened its newest location on the third floor of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati, which also happens to be its first refilling station.

On testing period as we speak, three products are available for refills: dish cleaner, room and linen spray, and its disinfectant spray. It’s 20 centavos per milliliter and they can accommodate anywhere between 50ml to a liter.

Got Heart

 

Be one with earth. Think and be green. ???? - We heard your requests! Got Heart Shop now offers package-free shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and sanitizer from Kalikhasan Eco-Friendly Solutions. Head over to the refilling station of our White Plains branch, and you’ll find the following best-sellers: Hanan Shampoo - P1.25/g Hayo Conditioner - P1.25/g Haliya Lotion - P1.50/g Ulan Hand Sanitizer - P1.50/g - Don’t forget to bring your old reusable bottles or other recyclable containers! ?? - #packagefree #ecofriendly #allnatural #shampoo #conditioner #lotion #sanitizer #proudfilipino

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Jul 8, 2018 at 11:57pm PDT

A community shop that started on E. Abada right behind Katipunan in Quezon City and has grown to include another shop in White Plains, Got Heart sells all-natural and organic products from partner communities and small business partners across the country. So there are food and fresh produce, personal care items, accessories, and even vertical gardening kits.

Last week, it announced on social media that it offers package-free personal items like shampoo (P1.25/g), conditioner (P1.25/g) and lotion (P1.50/g), among others. “Don’t forget to bring your old reuseable bottles or other recyclable containers,” it reminded.

Ritual

 

Thanks for stopping by, @littlegreengurl. We hope to see you again!

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Jul 28, 2017 at 4:50am PDT

Perhaps the Metro Manila pioneer in the refill system, Ritual is a general merchandise store that has foregone plastic bags and packaging since it opened eight years ago.

From having available to buy a takal of salt, coconut, sugar, coffee, tablea, cacao nibs to vco — with the customer bringing their own container, of course — Ritual also offer refills of liquid soaps (P.29/g), shampoo (P.59/g), dish liquid (P.18/g) and laundry power (P.25/g).

— LA, GMA News

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