Four inspiring zero-waste stories from Pinoys

Living a zero-waste lifestyle can be daunting for many Filipinos, especially those who have gotten used to single-use items and sachets.

But there are locals and communities in Metro Manila, recently featured on iJuander, who prove there are great rewards in being environmentally-conscious in their own way.

Here are some of their stories:

1. A barangay in Malabon successfully segregates trash

In Brgy. Potrero, Malabon, waste facilities have labels where garbage collectors and barangay sweepers can throw the designated trash into the proper area.

Residents also exercise discipline as they segregated their own trash beforehand.

Asked about what he does when someone does not segregate his trash, barangay sweeper Reynaldo Ferrer said that he skips the area, and then comes back at a later time.

The barangay is known as a "Zero Waste Model Barangay"

2. A couple uses jars to store food, instead of disposable containers

Monique Obligacion, a zero waste lifestyle advocate, and her partner always buy food in bulk and stores them in reusable jars. They carry their jars inside a reusable bag every time they go to the market.

"It doesn't just help with waste, hindi lang 'yung basura. Hindi lang din siya great for health. But also, ang sobrang laki niyang tipid. As in, andami mo nang hindi bibilihin," she said.

Because Monique had her own containers, she was able to say "no" using disposable packaging from vendors.

Monique and her partner started becoming environmentally conscious in 2016.

According to Monique, the 5 R's of a zero-waste lifestyle are: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot.

3. Friends make a business out of selling reusable items

Celina and Maan are friends and co-founders of the local Pinoy eco-brand Simula PH.

"Nagse-share lang kami ng feelings tungkol sa plastic pollution sa country, and also in the world. Naging conscious kami about it and from there, na-realize namin 'yung need and 'yung awareness ng Filipinos ngayon towards the zero-waste lifestyle," said Celina Alejandrino.

Some of their best-sellers include bamboo straws, metal straws and reusable "palengke" bags with pockets.

They also sold refillable insect repellents made from natural oils, among other eco-friendly products.

4. Student donates used clothes to charity

17-year old Alexandria Carlos decided to reduce clutter in her house by donating her used clothes to various charities.

"It's a good way to downsize because it saves so much time in the morning. So ngayon, 'yung dating one hour na preparation, ngayon, twenty minutes," the senior high school student said.

She believed that zero waste and minimalism were linked to each other.

Alexandria also shared that she opted to use organic products in reusable containers, so that she won't have to buy commercial products in plastic packaging. — Angelica Y. Yang/LA, GMA News