Plastics in general is seen as one of the leading cause of urban flooding in the city, with that in mind Cagayan de Oro took a huge leap for the environment when it decided to in act a law that prohibits the use of single use plastics in business establishment that we commonly use in purchasing our goods – at Happy Earth it comes with the brand.
Happy Earth is a zero-waste grocery store located at Lane 101, Masterson Avenue, that encourages its customers to bring their own containers to help the environment. It started in September 15 of last year and founded by Shariffa Emblawa-Patayon an avid advocate of protecting Mother Nature. She wanted a business that incorporated her passion in the business model – something that not only is profitable, but also does its part in saving the environment. Thus, Happy Earth was born.
“This is a plastic free store. Basically, Zero waste ang tawag. Ang goal gyud namo is to eliminate single use plastic to be sent to the landfills,” she said.
Even before the ordinance took effect on January 1 this year, Happy Earth has already integrated it to its business model and serves as the company’s foundation.
“Actually happy kaayu mi, before the planning of this store wala pami kabalo, we did not see this nga himoun ni sa LGU. dayun right after opening didto na gigawas na dayun ang ordinance. We are very happy because we felt we are aligned with what the LGU is doing. Dako kaayu siya nga Impact kay the local government man gyud ang mag enforce discipline and regulate the people dire sa Cagayan,” she said.
PRODUCTS
Although she admits not all her products sold here are organic she makes it a point in encouraging others to do their part to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and just before you enter her store there’s a sign that says bring your own container.
“Not all, just some of our products. Dili man jud tanan, although some are natural pero doesn’t have an organic certification especially katong mga local ones. Ang mga products gyud dire Kitchen essentials katung everyday ginagamit like katong cooking oils, from sugar, salt, herb and spices, mga soap. We also have mga pastam, the only difference is it’s package free, so you have to bring your own containers” she said.
The store also has different local consignees that display their products.
“Naa’y uban mga consignees dire sa Happy Earth Store, like we have Organic products, Katha Aromatics, Naa puy mga food consignees like St. Francis, Our Coffee, The Mango Float, among others,” she said.
Some of Happy Earth’s products are compose of organic eggs, black rice, spices and seasonings that can also be bought in bulk.
THE GOAL
“Gusto lang gyud namo i-educate among consumers on the impacts we bring especially in using single use plastics. Kay ang inspiration man gyud nako ani is the thought nga The Philippines being the Top 3 most polluted country worldwide. So gusto namo ipakita sa ilaha nga dili mani bag-o nga lifestyle (not using plastics in shopping),” she shares.
“Sa karaan sa unang panahon our Ninonos do this as a way of doing their groceries katung wa pa gibuhat ang plastic. But because of the convenience nga nahatag sa Plastic, wala nakit-an sa mga tao nga maka-daot in the Long run. We want to go back to the old times nga disiplinado ang mga tao sa ilang waste ana kay we have a branding this year what we call as Zero waste CDO so little by little with the help of the LGU. We can really campaign this project,” Shariffa concluded.
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