Bringing your own bag when shopping is a simple way to help curb the plastic crisis. Despite evidence of climate change, however, some still tend to forget this small yet impactful effort. 

Croft Bulk Foods (CBF), a Davao-based plastic bag-free eco-store, helps you jumpstart earth-friendly living by providing compostable paper bags and offering plant-based, vegan, and eco-friendly products available for “tingi” purchases, wherein you can buy as little or as much as needed. 

On a mission to promote conscious consumption, the minimalist zero-waste store sells a range of trail mix, including dried fruits (cranberries, apricots, raisins), nuts (almond flakes, cashews, pistachios), and cacao and coconut products (tablea, sugar, flakes) — ideal for snacking on the go. 

“Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle requires a fundamental shift in our thinking,”  said Sahara Lara Casteel, owner of Croft Bulk Foods. "Simply buying products labeled as 'organic' or 'recycled' is not enough. The underlying principle should be to consume less and make more mindful choices." 

The shop also provides locally sourced mango chips, organic powders such as barley and beetroot, and freeze-dried dragon fruits, a fiber-rich superfood packed with vitamins and antioxidants. While the eco-friendly products won’t tear pockets apart, the store has one simple rule: Bring your own container. 

Proving its commitment to environmentalism, the people in CBF are also the driving force behind The Vegan Dinosaur, a Davao-based restaurant offering plant-based options, which produce less climate-heating emissions than meat-rich diets. 

Croft Bulk Foods offers a sliver of hope in the face of climate change, helping prove that being earth-friendly doesn’t require monumental efforts. Its story underscores the big impact of small choices, urging us to ditch the plastic now.