ON JUNE 6, 2021, World Environment Day was celebrated worldwide. While activities and gatherings are still prohibited in the Philippines because of the pandemic, many environmentalist groups took to Facebook to make people aware of the celebration.
But aside from online posts, it is also ideal and important to be mindful of our day-to-day activities and whether or not these have a bad effect on the environment.
Many small business establishments around Davao City have started to operate under an advocacy. A change in lifestyle for the environment may take compromises and sacrifices both for the consumer and the business owner. Despite that, many business owners are innately concerned about the environment prompting them to open businesses that minimize single-use plastic.
Here are only some of the eco-friendly brands in the city you should try:
1. MNQ Handmade Cosmetics
MNQ Handmade Cosmetics is a Davao-based brand that creates products using natural ingredients. Our products give the body a healthy and happy experience.
Originally located in Juna Subdivision, Davao City, MNQ Handmade Cosmetics also now has a stall in SM City Davao. The shop sells shampoo and conditioner bars, sunscreen, sun balm, and so much more.
2. Croft Bulk Foods
Croft Bulk Foods - A Zero-Waste Revolution
What Croft Bulk Foods started is something new in Davao City. They had their first branch in Marfori before they opened another branch at The Compound, Tulip Drive. Croft Bulk Foods have an interesting selection of nuts, chocolates, dried fruits, seeds, and so much more. Customers can get as much (or as little) as they want as the items are sold per gram. It is encouraged to bring your own containers as plastic bags are obviously not available in the shop. Not only is Croft Bulk Foods advocating against single-use plastic, but they are also for a healthy lifestyle through healthier food choices.
3. The Refill Store
If you are in search of household items, perfumes & colognes, and ink refills, you are on the right page.
The Refill Store has several branches in Mindanao but in Davao City they are located at Paseo de Roxas Commercial Complex, Roxas St.The idea of The Refill Store is the customer bringing their own container which will be refilled with the items in the store. They have available perfumes, ink printers, hand soap, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, and laundry detergents.
4. Davao Ecogifts
Sustainable and personalized gift items for loved ones and for Mother Nature.
It is an online store that sells non-plastic gift items which can be personalized with names of the receiver. Davao Ecogifts sells a variety of items from bamboo pen, phone stand, metal straws, wooden toothbrushes, wooden cutlery sets, and tumblers among others.
If you’re lucky, you might even see your items delivered by the owner himself via bike.
5. Human Nature
Human Nature is a social enterprise brand of genuinely natural, all Philippine-made personal care products.
Human Nature products can be bought in malls and other retail shops in Davao City but not a lot of people know that their main branch in Obrero accepts empty bottles of Human Nature items for recycling. For every empty bottle returned is a peso off your purchase. Who needs empty bottles of their skincare products? If they’re not going to be recycled, who knows where they’re going to end up?
6. Humblebee Reusable Flo-pads
Cotton, reusable, and washable sanitary napkins in cute patterns and prints
Women may use tens of thousands of sanitary napkins in their lifetime. That’s the kind of waste that’s going to end up in landfills, or worse, in the ocean. Sanitary napkins are the type of waste that does not decompose and cannot be recycled. That’s where menstrual cups and reusable pads come into the picture.
Humblebee Reusable Flo-pads can be bought in Lazuli PH, Abad Santos St., Davao City. They’re available in sets of regular flow, heavy flow, and pantyliners. Choices of cute, girly, or minimalist patterns are just a bonus.