Let’s make it human nature to put our oceans first!

Known as the only blue planet, the ocean covers 70% of the Earth and represents over 95% of the biosphere. It absorbs 90% of the heat from global warming and 30% of the CO2 is released and produces over 50% of the oxygen in the atmosphere. Despite mankind’s utter reliance on it, there is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters with the amount of plastic waste increasing at an alarming rate, causing environmental problems at a global scale.

Recognizing this and its own impact on the environment, social enterprise Human Nature commits to strengthening its sustainability advocacy by coming up with avenues to make it ‘human nature’ for Filipinos to put the oceans first.

The War of a Lifetime: Convenience vs Environment

Dependence on single-use plastics remains a growing concern in the Philippines. Given the take-make-dispose economy, Filipinos use around 212 million sachets, shopping bags, and plastic bottles every day. This highlights the delicate dilemma consumers face in choosing between convenience and the environment.  So, which one is winning?

Based on a June 2023 interview, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) admitted that the Philippines is not winning the war against single-use plastics. DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones disclosed that the country produces 61,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily and 12% of which or 7,090 metric tonnes (the size of about 63 blue whales) are plastics. In fact, the Philippines generates over one-third of the oceanic plastic waste in the world, according to Our World in Data.

Making it ‘Human Nature’ to put the oceans first

Like the youth of today, Human Nature knows by heart the importance of taking action for the oceans. Given this, they are constantly coming up with ways to be part of the solution–a solution that not only the brand can do but one that its loyal customers can also support and contribute to.

Together with the consumers, Human Nature was able to save about 37 tonnes of plastic bottles (more than one-third the size of a blue whale) from ending up in the ocean. This equates to over 1.2 million pieces of 200ml and 2.7 million pieces of 50ml bottles saved as of May 2023. 

Join Human Nature in reducing 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 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 250 ml bottle of liquid shampoo while the 70g bar option amounts to around 500 ml 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 at https://humanheartnature.com/buy/sustainability 

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 https://humanheartnature.com/buy/sustainability.

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 as early as 2010 and has been actively looking to partner with groups that 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.

For those interested, simply drop off clean empty plastic bottles in 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.” 

For more information on how you can support Human Nature and its advocacies, simply visit https://humanheartnature.com/