QC Mayor Joy Belmonte plans to transform 5,000 more stores into community-based refill hubs in 2024, complementing the 1,060 existing sari-sari stores already equipped with "Kuha sa Tingi" starter kits in the city.
Launched in June 2023, “Kuha sa Tingi” is a sustainable initiative by Greenpeace Philippines, Quezon City government, and Impact Hub Manila, which aims to address plastic pollution by promoting refill and reuse systems.
“Being sustainable and eco-friendly doesn’t have to be expensive,” Mayor Belmonte said, “and limiting our plastic generation is inclusive, affordable, and accessible to all, including those from socioeconomic sectors and urban areas.”
Through the project, customers bring their own reusable containers to refill essential items, including liquid detergent, fabric conditioner, and multipurpose cleaner — helping take down plastic culture one refill at a time.
Apart from the eco-initiative, the city government has implemented various anti-plastic waste strategies, including plastic bag ordinances, prohibition of single-use plastic, and the Vote to Tote program, where thousands of campaign tarpaulins were repurposed into bags.