Human Nature bags int’l Sustainable Beauty Award

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HUMAN Nature recently created history by becoming the first Asian brand to win in the prestigious Sustainable Beauty Awards.

Founded in 2008 by Dylan Wilk, Anna Meloto-Wilk and Camille Meloto, Human Nature is the Philippines’ largest brand of genuinely natural, affordable personal care, cosmetics, and home care products.

Its wide range of products is 100 percent made in the Philippines and 100 percent free from harmful chemicals. Gandang Kalikasan Inc., the social enterprise behind this brand, is driven by the core philosophies of being Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, and Pro-Environment.

“We didn’t realize that our small company, which is just 8 years old, would come this far. We just wanted to do something good, something right, and this award is an affirmation of what we are doing”, shared Human Nature Marketing Head Wowie Meloto-Gonzalez during the awards reception held in Paris.

The Sustainable Beauty Awards was organized by Organic Motor, a globally-recognized specialist research and consulting company for organic products and related industries. The notable competition attracts hundreds of entries yearly.

“Launched in 2013, the Sustainable Beauty Awards echoes how green issues have gained prominence in the personal care and cosmetics industry. Categories include Sustainability Leadership, Sustainable Ingredient, Green Formulations, Sustainable Packaging and Sustainability Pioneer Award,” explained Meloto-Gonzalez.

Human Nature impressively bagged the Sustainability Pioneer Award for its awe-inspiring social entrepreneurship work in Asia.

Social entrepreneurship at work

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board, “the Philippines is rich in agricultural products, yet many of its farmers are poor and mostly grow rice, with an average daily wage of P156.80.”

Human Nature endeavors to change this by creating demand for high value essential oils and other raw materials. They also aim to invest in skills training, sustainable technology, infrastructure, and values formation to improve the farmers’ output and quality of life.

“Through their partnerships with Gawad Kalinga and other organizations who share the same vision, they aim to develop globally-certified organic farms in the countryside that can produce excellent raw materials for Human Nature products, as well as community-based enterprises that will multiply the income of poor communities.”

In addition, “Human Nature employs Gawad Kalinga residents from nearby communities in Quezon City and Laguna and provides fair living wages, around 70% more than the minimum wage required by law. They also make sure to provide their warehouse staff, merchandisers, and manufacturing plant personnel with regularized employment with full benefits.”

Truly world class

The relatively young Philippine brand bested industry leaders such as Eminence Organic Skin Care and Givaudan, a 250-year old French company producing scents and flavors. On the other hand, Weleda, a German company that has been producing natural products since 1921, was a runner-up for the category. Past recipients of the Sustainability Pioneer Award include Cruelty Free International and L’Oreal USA-Garnier.

“Today, we can truly say that made in the Philippines is equal to, or maybe even better than made in Germany and made in France,” Anna Meloto-Wilk, president and co-founder of Human Nature enthused.

“The Sustainable Beauty Award is a testament to the creativity, ingenuity and hard work of the Filipino people. Our little country in the Far East, despite the problems that we continue to grapple within our society today, is paving the way to the future for kinder, more sustainable businesses especially in our industry,” she added.

Human Nature hopes that soon “there will be hundreds of community organic farms and world-class social enterprises in the Philippines providing livelihood for thousands of our countrymen.” As the proudly Philippine-made brand creates the market for their products, it believes “it can help many Filipinos rise out of poverty and into a first-world quality of life.”

Special thanks to Organic Motor and Human Heart Nature Facebook page for the photos.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

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