#MUNIonThis: A 2015 study in Science journal estimates millions of tons of plastic waste get dumped into our oceans annually, with middle-income nations, including the Philippines, among the top contributors. Furthermore, trash generated by Philippine cities is expected to increase by 165% in 2025.
But by conscious individual action to go “zero waste” in how we consume and dispose of things everyday, and collective action to enact proper solid waste management and waste reduction in our communities, we can change that figure.
Here are just some ways we can help get you started with a Zero Waste Lifestyle at the upcoming MUNI Market on April 8-9 at Capitol Commons!
#1 BRING YOUR OWN BAGS, BOTTLES & CONTAINERS
When shopping from all MUNI merchants, use an eco-bag to minimize the use of additional packaging. Packaging-free store Ritual will be a participating merchant in the market, while some participating merchants like Jertie’s Kitchen will be offering rebates on food purchases when you bring your own container.
If you’re an existing / aspiring entrepreneur, you can also take a cue from Jaq Abergas of Jertie’s Kitchen who shares: “We are working towards in-house production of the bulk of our main ingredients, which cuts down packaging, and carbon footprint at the same time. We also encourage our customers to either reuse the packaging, or return the packaging to be reused.”
#2 GET REUSABLE ESSENTIALS
If you’ve yet to get a reusable bottle, reusable shopping bags, and even straws, we’ve got merchants like Go Zero, Sinaya Cup, RuMe, Gifts & Graces, A Beautiful Refuge, Hope in a Bottle who can help get you these essentials. Make sure to use them often and for a long time in order to make the most of the materials and energy resources that went into creating that product! 🙂
#3 CHOOSE UPCYCLED
Some brands like PIOPIO, Urban Abode, and Tinkerknot, and PIOPIO get creative with existing materials or waste and repurpose them into one-of-a-kind products.
#4 DECLUTTER & DISPOSE RESPONSIBLY
Did you know that electronic waste (gadgets, old CDs, DVDs, tapes, batteries, etc.) can be harmful to the environment when improperly disposed? De-clutter and bring your piling e-waste by bringing them over to The E-Waste Project booth at the MUNI Market for proper disposal.
#5 LEARN FROM EXPERTS & PRACTITIONERS
Join our MUNI Meetup on Zero Waste Living on April 9, 6:00PM-7:30PM.
Here we ask: “How can we manage waste in our ecosystem and be part of creating a culture where bringing around reusables become commonplace?” We want to show why it matters, and how you can do your part in tackling it — from composting, recycling, disposal of e-waste, to reducing the waste we create in the first place.
Learn and network with our panel of creative advocates for zero waste living including:
Bea Misa Crisostomo, Co-founder, Ritual
Ziggie Gonzales, Proponent, The Plastic Solution
Levin Frias, The E-Waste Project
Victoria Martires Cabo-Chan, Chairman, Zero Waste Philippines
You can also bring finished eco-bricks (disposable plastic bottles properly stuffed with non-biodegradable waste) to this meetup to contribute to The Plastic Solution’s #stuffitchallenge. Register for the meetup here.
Find out more about how you can learn, eat, chill and shop for a healthier, more sustainable world at MUNI Market 2017 here.
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