Our unique blue planet is 70% water, and more than 95% of life on Earth is aquatic. Astoundingly, our oceans are responsible for absorbing 90% of global warming’s heat and 30% of CO2 emissions, while providing over half the oxygen we breathe. However, despite our dependence on the oceans, their health is declining due to increasing plastic waste, a crisis impacting the globe.
With an acute awareness of its environmental footprint, the social enterprise Human Nature is ramping up its commitment to sustainability. They aim to embed the care of our oceans into the ‘human nature’ of every Filipino.
The Battle of Our Age: Convenience Versus the Environment
Our reliance on single-use plastics is a pressing issue in the Philippines. Within a take-make-dispose economy, Filipinos utilize approximately 212 million sachets, shopping bags, and plastic bottles daily. This spotlights the tight spot consumers find themselves in, choosing between convenience and the environment.
Who is currently taking the lead?
An interview in June 2023 revealed a disheartening truth. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conceded that the Philippines is losing the war against single-use plastics. DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones reported that the country generates 61,000 metric tonnes of solid waste per day, 12% of which is plastic. This is equivalent to 7,090 metric tonnes, roughly the size of 63 blue whales. According to Our World in Data, the Philippines contributes over a third of the ocean’s plastic pollution.
Embedding Ocean Care into ‘Human Nature’
Like today’s youth, Human Nature understands the necessity of ocean conservation. Consequently, they continually develop strategies to be part of the solution. Moreover, they create initiatives that loyal customers can also participate in and contribute to.
With the support of its customers, Human Nature has successfully kept about 37 tonnes of plastic bottles (over one-third the size of a blue whale) out of the ocean. This translates to over 1.2 million pieces of 200ml and 2.7 million pieces of 50ml bottles saved as of May 2023.
You can join Human Nature’s mission to decrease plastic waste through these initiatives:
REFUSE THE BOTTLE
Human Nature encourages its consumers to switch to solid and go plastic bottle-free! What started with shampoo bars in 2019 has now expanded to solid format variants for its personal care, home care, and beauty categories.
Both of Human Nature’s bar and powder products are natural, effective, and free from harmful chemicals. It is also a bang for the buck as shoppers can save money while being allies for the ocean. In fact, one 35g shampoo bar is equal to a 250ml bottle of liquid shampoo while the 70g bar option amounts to around 500ml of its liquid counterpart–extending one’s savings to up to P224.94. Check out the brand’s wide range of plastic bottle-free products here.
REDUCE THE BOTTLE
Customers can also opt to upsize to 1-liter or even 1-gallon bottles of their favorite Human Nature shampoos, body washes, sanitizers, hand soaps, liquid detergents, and more. By doing so, they can save up to P199 and lessen plastic usage by up to 71%.For Human Nature products that offer upsized versions, visit this link.
REFILL THE BOTTLE
Staying true to their core advocacy on sustainability, Human Nature’s Co-founder and President Anna Meloto-Wilk championed the signature drive for Mainstream Refilling–a petition to create safe, sustainable, and accessible refilling stations. Human Nature’s home care refilling stations are available at its flagship store in Commonwealth Ave., SM The Block, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Festival Mall, Glorietta, Ayala Malls Feliz, and Trinoma.
RECYCLE THE BOTTLE
Human Nature began its recycling initiatives in as early as 2010 and has been actively looking to partner with groups who can reuse or repurpose plastic materials. In 2022 and as part of its Balik-Bote Recycling Program, the brand partnered with Plastic Flamingo (PLAF) to transform its bottles into eco-lumber to be used as construction material for shelters, street furniture, and other architectural solutions.
To participate, simply drop off clean empty plastic bottles at select Metro Manila Stores.
No water, no life. No blue, no green.
Without a doubt, the oceans serve as a life source for humans and there’s no better time than now to step up, raise awareness, and take part in ocean preservation. As veteran oceanographer Sylvia Earle once said, “With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live.”
There’s no better time than the present to get involved, increase awareness, and take tangible steps toward ocean preservation. For a deep blue tomorrow, we must act today.
To learn more about how you can support Human Nature and its remarkable ocean-friendly initiatives, visit their website here. The ocean is in our hands, and together, we can ensure its longevity for future generations. Let’s make it human nature to put our oceans first!
