By HANNAH NICOL
The Quezon City government, the Greenpeace Philippines, and Impact Hub Manila launched on Wednesday, June 14, the “Kuha sa Tingi” initiative that establishes community-based refill hubs in sari-sari stores to help reduce plastic pollution.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Greenpeace Philippines Zero Waste Campaigner Marian Ladesma, and Impact Hub Manila founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ces Rondario signed a memorandum of understanding for the pilot rollout for the project in the chosen “Tindahan ni Ate Joy” sari-sari stores.
"Being sustainable and eco-friendly doesn't have to be expensive. Our partnership with Greenpeace and Impact Hub only proves that shifting to zero waste and limiting our plastic generation is inclusive, affordable, and accessible to all, including those from all socioeconomic sectors and urban areas," Belmonte said.
Under the memorandum, refill stations will be placed in 30 sari-sari stores across the city where consumers can bring their own reusable containers to refill basic commodities such as liquid detergent, fabric conditioner, and dishwashing liquid.
The project aims to provide people with alternatives to products in sachets and other kinds of plastic packaging in the form of affordable and simple reuse and refill systems that build on past sustainable practices.
It also intends to bring back the glory days of the Filipinos’ “tingi” culture as a response to the worsening state of plastic pollution due to the staggering amount of sachets being consumed daily.
Ladesma said that accessible reuse and refill systems are at the heart of “Kuha sa Tingi.”
“We want to give consumers simple, affordable, and convenient access to zero waste alternatives for their daily needs,” she said.
“By installing refill stations in sari-sari stores and redesigning the business model around the needs of the community, we can make plastic-free goods available to Filipinos from all socioeconomic sectors,” she added.
The implementation of the project will demonstrate the application of reuse and refill models in the hope that companies will embrace zero waste systems in their operations to lessen plastic production, and that other cities and institutions replicate the initiative through their own policies and environmental and livelihood programs.
Rondario said the ‘Kuha sa Tingi’ initiative seeks to deliver a multi-pronged solution for communities and reduce the usage of single waste while the project’s model offers competitively priced high quality products to customers through sari-sari store partner distributor.
“The collaboration between the Quezon City Government, Impact Hub Manila, and Greenpeace Philippines shows us how cities, communities, and local businesses are taking the lead in tackling plastic pollution by advancing business models based on reuse and refill systems. It’s time for corporations to do their part, too,” Ledesma said.
“Not only should companies reduce plastic production and phase out single-use plastics, but they also have to invest resources to transition to and adopt reuse and refill systems in their operations.” she added.
Impact Hub Manila is an impact-first venture builder focused on supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs with ideas that will positively change the lives of Filipinos.
Greenpeace Philippines is an independent organization campaigning for a peaceful and sustainable world for future generations.