Sustainability is all about using what you have instead of buying what you don't really need. But if having a pretty metal straw or a sleek insulated tumbler is what encourages you to stick to regular eco-friendly habits, then we say go for it.
Even better, if those meaningful purchases support local communities and worthy causes, you'll wind up doing good in more ways than one.
1. Squeaky Clean Kids
Founded by three doctors who have seen hundreds of consistently sick children from underprivileged families all over the country, Squeaky Clean Kids runs outreach programs to make good hygiene accessible to those left unprotected from infectious yet preventable diseases.
Along with organic soap bars that target common skin concerns like dryness or eczema, they also offer shampoo and conditioner bars.
Every purchase of these means that a bar of soap is given to a child in need. Part of the profits from their sales also fund their regular good hygiene awareness campaigns in underserved communities.
Their shampoo bars come in three well-loved variants: Shea and Cocoa Butter, Activated Charcoal, and Rose Ylang-Ylang. Their conditioner bar is made of activated charcoal, VCO, olive oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, peppermint and tea tree oil.
2. Outcome Zero
Outcome Zero was founded with the mission of providing sustainable yet affordable alternatives to reduce single-use plastic packaging that often come with the 'tingi' culture of the Philippines.
They offer 10g package-free soap bars with ingredients like calamansi and adlai locally-sourced from farming communities. They also have bamboo straws sourced from farmers in Palawan, helping support at least two families part of their supply chain.
Their charcoal bamboo toothbrushes are made with with mixed PBT and charcoal fibre bristles. PBT or Polybutylene Terephthalate is a thermoplastic that can be recycled.
Even better, the handles are carefully hand painted with vegan and eco-friendly soy paint to help protect accumulated water at the bottom of your holder from damaging the handles.
3. Messy Bessy
Messy Bessy was established in 2007 with the main purpose of providing education, employment and rehabilitation for at-risk (formerly abused, trafficked, incarcerated impoverished) young adults. It does this by producing a line of natural, biodegradable, non-toxic household and personal care items.
Most of their best-selling products such as the
Minty Orange Surface Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Roach Repellent Spray, Laundry Detergent, and body wash variants are sold in large refill bottles of 2-4L to encourage bulk purchases and cut down on plastic waste.
Messy Bessy also has industrial cleaning solutions at 20L containers for companies or refilling stations, one of which has already been set up in Powerplant Mall.
Every purchase has a direct social impact to the scholars of its HOUSE (Helping Ourselves Through Sustainable Enterprises) Foundation, such as college class units, hours of group therapy, or even rides to school.
4. The Bamboo Company
The Bamboo Company carries a variety of eco-friendly products designed to encourage people to lessen their "plastic footprint."
Part of the proceeds from their sales are donated to
Balyena.org.ph, which helps in the preservation and protection of marine life.
5. Human Heart Nature
As one of the pioneering social enterprises in the country,
Human Heart Nature has been blazing a trail for socially-conscious consumers and businesses alike. It sources raw materials like coconut oil and lemongrass at above-market prices from rural low-income communities to produce natural cruelty-free beauty and personal care products.
One of their recent campaigns "1 Liter, Less Litter" involves upsizing to
1L refill-sized bottles for their dishwashing liquid, shampoo, conditioner, and baby bottle cleaner. Not only are the bottles 100% recyclable but they are also made with up to 72% less plastic.
Human Heart Nature also has refilling stations for its home care products as well.
Indeed, sustainability and social impact often go hand in hand. Not only are you doing good for the planet, but you can also do good for communities and causes when you go the extra mile in learning about where products are sourced, how they're made, and who are the people behind these lovingly-made items.
