The first step towards an eco-friendly country

by Castro, Franchette Noreen B. BAJ 3-1D

The first step towards an eco-friendly country

The Philippines is considered the top country with the most plastic waste pollution in the world, with over 36%, or 3.30 kg, of waste produced by each Filipino every year. It is alarming because, despite all the laws implemented to ensure waste segregation, mountains of waste are still piling up in dumpsites, and most of them are plastics not being segregated properly.

(SACKS OF TRASH – A pile of uncollected wastes that are stack up near the bridge of a local community)

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 Article II, states that, “Segregation at source shall refer to a solid waste management practice of separating, at the point of origin, different materials found in solid waste in order to promote recycling and re-use of resources and to reduce the volume of waste for collection and disposal”

Recognizing that there is a plastic waste problem can help us reduce our garbage. That is why there are various groups and individuals who are making their move to reduce the usage of single-waste plastic products.

(GLIMPSE OF HOPE – The outside look of the Back to Basics Ecostore in Maginhawa, Quezon City)

In the streets of Maginhawa Village in Quezon City, one has come to encounter an ecostore, Back to Basics. Everyone of any age and gender can have a look around. First started in 2020 as delivering goods due to the pandemic, this store was opened in 2022 as their physical store.

(VISITORS FOR CHANGE: Ms. Laarnie (the woman in black on the right) together with PUP Journalism students posing for commemoration of their visit. (Credits: Princes del Corro))

Ms. Laarnie, the owner and one of the five founders of the store, explains the inspiration for their initiative. She explains that, as a mother, she was frustrated with the amount of plastic and sachets being thrown away after buying some products at the grocery store.

“Nakakafrustrate kasi pag mostly– especially nanay kami–‘pag mag-grocery na, ahhh, bibili na naman ako ng mantika, ng toyo, suka, panibago na naman tapos itatapon na naman ‘yun, ta’s dishwashing. Kumbaga regular ‘yan. Imagine mo ‘di ba? Monthly grocery, tapos monthly may tapon ako. So, versus ngayon, wala akong tapon at all sa ganiyan kasi paulit-ulit lang yung ano [container].” – Ms. Laarnie said in a conversation when one visit their store. 

(SACHET FREE – Some of the liquid products of BTB Ecostore being stored in containers and galons)

With their tagline “Zero Waste Made Easy," the store contains community-made products such as pantry staples, coffees, and even household essentials. There is no need to use plastic containers or sachets. As long as you bring your own containers and paper packaging, there will be a place for your products.

The plastic containers (in the picture above) being used to store liquid products are donated by regular customers and neighboring households. They make sure to sanitize the containers first before reusing them for packaging purposes, especially the glass-jar containers (see photo below), which can be used for liquid products like condiments or coffee beans.

(Container of repurposed bottles for liquid products and coffees)

(PROUD LOCAL – a glimpse of their locally-made soaps with various scents)

Some of their proud products are these community-made soaps that they make in partnership with Umaleng Farm. This permaculture farm is one of the main suppliers of organic products on the Zamboanga Peninsula. They were in the industry for almost 14 years.

(MORE OPTIONS – Some of the food products and condiments BTB Ecostore is selling)

Back to Basics Ecostore also has options for chefs and coffee lovers. Ms. Laarnie also revealed that one of her regulars is a chef who comes once a week to purchase some condiments.

They are also selling coffee beans that are proudly made from Davao by women farmers. 

Snacks are also available. There are several options, such as nuts, vegan chicharon, oatmeals, and there is also homemade macaroni and pasta. The store also provides a sample recipe if one wants to try making vegan spaghetti. 

(GIRLS CONVENIENCE – a basket full of feminine cloth pads for women on periods)

What resonated the most in the store was their feminine cloth pads, which they are also selling. As a woman, it is a big inconvenience to use sanitary napkins every now and then. It is also single-used, and the pads are thrown away immediately after use. Their pads can also save a woman from the irritation that regular pads may bring.

The Back-to-Basics Ecostore is one of the huge steps our country is making towards an eco-friendly environment. With proper knowledge and awareness of this emerging issue, we can come up with various ways to fight plastic pollution. Being an example of this change can reach people who are also in trouble with their waste.