Here’s how you can be more eco-friendly during the new normal

It’s a typical work-from-home day. You crave for your favorite comfort food and have it delivered. After enjoying your meal and satisfying your craving, you notice all the used food containers, plastic bags, and disposable utensils. Then you wonder: “Where do all these garbage end up?”

Due to the pandemic, more Filipinos have opted for food delivery services instead of dining out to practice social distancing and minimize their time outside. Unfortunately, one of its drawbacks is the increased usage of plastic bags, single-use sachets, and disposable food containers and utensils, which can further worsen the country’s growing waste management problem.

According to the Philippine Senate Energy Committee, the country is projected to produce 16.63 million metric tons of waste in 2020. To put it into perspective, that amount of waste is enough to fill 23,279 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 99 Philippine Arenas.

So, what can you do that will help in reducing all these wastes? Start thinking green and educate yourself about sustainability. Take one small step at a time and make it a habit. Here are a few things that you can do today to get you started on a zero-waste lifestyle.

Only get what you need

When having food delivered, request the restaurant not to include plastic straws and utensils and use your reusable ones at home instead. You can also ask for the right amount of napkins and condiments packed in sachets like catsup or sauce. Oftentimes, restaurants provide more than what you really need.

Shop wisely

When shopping for essentials, buy products with the least amount of unnecessary packaging to prevent wastage. If your budget permits, consider buying in bulk to minimize single-use sachet consumption and prevent frequent market or grocery trips.

You can also start using eco bags. They are more durable and comfortable to use than regular plastic bags and are manufactured from easily biodegradable materials such as canvas and jute. Since they’re reusable, eco bags also save you money because you don’t need to buy one every time you shop and they rarely need replacing. Just make sure that you wash them regularly to keep them germ-free and in good shape.

Reuse containers

Reuse or repurpose plastic food containers so they won’t end up in landfills. Some plastic containers are made durable enough to be reused up to 25 times. As for single-use plastic containers, upcycle them by converting them into pencil or crayon cases, organizers, or small plant pots. Reusing them is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to reduce their environmental impact.

One notable campaign in reusing food containers is NutriAsia’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) Store in Bonifacio Global City which was launched in July 2019. It’s a zero-waste store where people can refill their own reusable containers with their favorite products like Datu Puti condiments, Golden Fiesta Oil, and more.

The physical store, which is itself made out of eco-bricks, also serves as a drop-off point for plastic materials to be repurposed into school furnishings for Gat Andres Bonifacio High School in Taguig City. Because of this innovative idea, the campaign bagged the Bronze Stevie® Award for Corporate Responsibility Communications at the 17t h Annual International Business Awards. The premier business awards program received entries from organizations in 63 nations and territories.

The BYOB Store reopened last August 2020 after the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. To ensure the well-being of both their staff and customers, they modified and improved their service by adhering to stricter health and safety measures. This includes the use of an Ultra Violet cabinet on-site for bottle sterilization to make sure that they are germ-free before refills.

To enjoy more #MasarapMasaya meals and have your containers refilled, fill out BYOB Store’s online order form. For more information on the BYOB store, visit their official webpage or follow NutriAsia on Facebook.

The road to a clean, unpolluted Philippines may be long but a good number of individuals, organizations and institutions have already taken the first crucial steps. For our part, each of us needs to start playing our role to move closer toward sustainability. As the BYOB Store says, “We can help the Earth and build a sustainable zero-waste community one refill at a time.”