(SPOT.ph)Â If you've been wanting to jump on the sustainability and zero-waste movement but don't know where to start, don't worry. Everyone ought to do their part for Mother Earth, and even small changes add up. Looking for somewhere to start? Here are 10 of the best shops in Manila for sustainable products.
Paraluman
Paraluman carries local, handmade products so you’re not only helping the environment, you’re also doing good for the communities of the creators behind them. Here, you can shop for just about anything you can think of that’s sustainable: Shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes and hairbrushes, cotton rounds, steel containers, and even plantable pencils! They also make sure to use packaging made from sustainable materials.
Paraluman is at 63 Maginhawa Street, Quezon City, Philippines.
Sip PH and Loop.
The folks over at Sip PH have always been about making everyday lifestyle changes that won’t harm the environment. In fact, we’re pretty sure you first heard about steel straws from Sip PH all those many months ago. Now, you can head over to Loop., a new eco-friendly lifestyle store that puts together all kinds of sustainable products that will help you minimize your carbon footprint. Here, you can shop for steel straws, wooden cutlery, and canteens from Sip PH, as well as other items like Happy Island’s magic makeup remover, Frank Green coffee cups, and SUDS’ shampoo bars. Plus, you have the option to return the packaging of the items you purchase so they can send them back to the brand or turn them into eco-bricks!
Loop. is at Unit 30, 68 Don A. Roces Avenue, Barangay Obrero, Quezon City.
Humble Market
Aside from carrying the usual metal straws, cutlery, and toothbrushes, Humble Market also carries hard-to-find items like metal razors and beeswax wraps as an alternative way to store food. You can even do a bit of grocery shopping for all-natural food products such as granola, quinoa, flaxseeds, and berries. And yes, everything is packaging-free, so bring your own containers!
Humble Market is at YDG Coffee, Mandala Park, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.
Ritual
Fun fact: Ritual was one of the very first eco-friendly shops selling sustainable items in the Philippines. They’ve been in business since 2010, so they deserve some kudos for providing locally sourced goods in non-harmful packaging. Here, you can shop organic pantry essentials like rice, coffee, and salt. You can also find liquid soaps and home deodorizers (that are packaged in recycled gin bottles), as well as woven bags, and clothes made using sustainable materials.
Ritual is at Jackson Building, 926 Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City.
Remind PH
Remind PH first came into everyone’s radar with their bamboo straws. They’ve since offered reusable bamboo chopsticks to make it easier to say no to disposable utensils at fast-food joints and takeout places. Aside from carrying their own bamboo products, they also stock products like reusable cups from KeepCup in all shapes and sizes.
Remind PH is available on BeautyMNL.
Kool PH
Kool PH makes foldable (and stylish!) tumblers and cups, all produced using lead-free recycled materials. Their products can fold up to two inches in height, so they can easily fit in your everyday bag. They’ve also introduced cute phone cases made out of eco-friendly materials!
Kool PH is available online.
Sora
The only thing better than things made of sustainable materials are things made from recycled materials, so that makes Sora a winner in our book. They make beach towels and non-slip yoga mats from plastic bottles that they collect and later repurpose. Cool, right? In fact, one towel is made from at least eight plastic bottles, so imagine all the waste that’s not heading straight to the landfill or ocean. Plus, the towels and yoga mats come in gorgeous prints, so you’ll definitely find some prints that’ll suit your style.
Sora is available online.
The Bamboo Company
Bamboo is one of the more popular eco-friendly materials out there—it's widely available and biodegradable, so it makes sense that The Bamboo Company would want to make sustainable products using only this organic material. The shop carries your usual bamboo toothbrushes and utensils, but it goes the extra mile and makes bamboo tumblers and lunchboxes—cleverly called the Bambaunan.Â
The Bamboo Company is available online.
Kahilom
Everything you need to help reduce your carbon footprint and live a more sustainable life can be found in Kahilom. Here you can find zero-waste travel containers, cleansing bars, and even essential oils. They’ve since gathered more partners to help them promote the eco-friendly lifestyle, so you can also pick up some ethically made clothing, indoor plants, and healthy food options.
Kahilom is at Hub: Make Lab, First United Building, 413 Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila.
Rags2Riches
Everything made at Rags2Riches is handcrafted by local craftspeople, so you’d be helping out a community with every purchase you make. You can shop stylish and sustainable woven bags for just about any occasion, and you can get woven passport holders, wallets and purses, too!
Rags2Riches has branches at 87 Scout Fuentebella, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City; and G/F Phase 1 Building, UP Town Center, 216 Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
