Akkula PH is a local and environmentally conscious company whose products are not only natural and zero-waste, but its raw materials are also sourced from local farmers in Leyte. Akkula, which means “to keep a careful hold of something, no matter where one goes or what one does,” is a Sinama or Sama-Bajau word, a local dialect spoken by Sama-Bajau people.
Behind this enterprise are the partners Angelique Lesaca and Nico Ballesteros, both 26, entrepreneurs and founders of Akkula PH, who started the online business in 2017. With the goal to protect the environment and its inhabitants, they make their products 100% natural, ethical, sustainable, and affordable. Lesaca says, “We lessen our carbon footprint by reducing the use of fossil fuel based-transport and we can provide support to our farmers by giving them the valuable capital they need to continue operating their farms.” Adhering to their objective to be a sustainable and waste-free business, they also aim to alleviate the single-use plastic by making innovative packaging and products.
Plantable vegan lip balms
One of their best-sellers is the vegan lip balm that is packaged from 100% recycled paper, making the entire item compostable. They’ve also infused seeds in the packaging that can be sowed once the Akkula Lip Balm is emptied. From cap to the wrapper, Akkula’s Lip Balm “leaves no trace of waste on Earth”, says Lesaca.
These vegan lip balms are made from Candelilla wax instead of beeswax. Candelilla wax is a plant-based wax that comes from the leaves of a Candelilla plant (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), a Mexican shrub that serves as a vegan alternative to beeswax. “Many of the lip balms out there are made with beeswax or lanolin, which are great moisturizers, but not vegan-friendly,” Lesaca explained.
Aside from it being cruelty-free, Akkula also made sure that they have quality products that can nourish and protect the lips from “questionable ingredients like parabens, chemical sunscreens, and petroleum.”
Apart from these lip balms, they also have products suitable for home and pet care like their multipurpose spray made of sweet basil, tea tree, and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens).
Supporting local farms in Leyte
One of the main ingredients of these lip balms is virgin coconut oil (VCO) that they acquire from Felipe Remulta Verallo (FRV) farm located in Leyte province. The said farm helps and supports local farmers and communities in production and farm technology. Akkula PH gets virgin coconut oil particularly from FRV Organic Homestead that markets VCO, which FRV farm grows and processes. “They are one of the top suppliers of quality and affordable 100% Virgin Coconut Oil. Their pure virgin coconut oil is grown and pressed exclusively on the farm.”
With these eco-conscious products and methods, Akkula PH wants to create a positive impact on the environment and community that helps in reducing wastes that pollute our land, water, and air.
Photos courtesy of Akkula PH.
For more information, visit Akkulaph.com
Read more about farming and gardening at agriculture.com.ph.