Summer is here again and most of you might have already started hitting the beach or booked your flights abroad. As much as we would like to look fashionable enough for our summer travels, that doesn’t mean we can forget about the environment.
According to Reese Fernandez-Ruiz of Rags II Riches, the apparel industry accounts for 10 percent of global carbon emissions and remains the second-largest industrial polluter, second only to oil.
There are products made by social enterprises, committed to the environment, lifting marginalized communities without sacrificing style and function. We have listed our top sustainable local products that you may want to include in your guilt-free summer travel.
Habi Lifestyle espadrilles
Looking for a comfortable, functional, yet fun-looking, footwear for your travels? Janine Chiong, cofounder of Habi Lifestyle, makes sure to balance social and environmental attributes, and inject a unique summer vibe in each design.
The Habi Lifestyle team uses predominantly upcycled and sustainably sourced materials, such as upcycled fabrics and airplane tires for its espadrilles.
Habi Lifestyle products are available at www.habifootwear.com.
Jacinto & Lirio’s zipped travelers
Every traveler needs a multifunctional, yet stylish, travel organizer. What makes this zipped travel organizer special is that it is handcrafted and made from water hyacinth.
Jacinto & Lirio transforms pests, like water hyacinth, into a sustainably usable product. It empowers families in communities affected by the infestation.
Jacinto & Lirio products are available at https://jacintoandlirio.com/.
Mori Notes
Journalize your travel adventures with a handy journal from Mori Notes.
Aside from providing sustainable home-based livelihood to artists, crafters and sales advocates, this has become a platform for a community of mothers in Quezon City to collaborate and create quality products.
Mori Notes products are available at https://www.morinotes.com/.
Akaba
If you’re looking for a roomy, yet lightweight, bag that is easy to carry, check out Akaba handmade weaved bags.
These are made from water resistant and fade-proof materials perfect for extended hours, out in the sun. Behind the Instagram-worthy designs are numerous weaving communities who dream big and look forward to standing side by side with international brands.
AKABA products are available at https://akaba.co/.
These are all social enterprises supported by BPI Foundation, the social-innovation arm of Bank of the Philippine Islands. Through the foundation’s program called BPI Sinag, entrepreneurs with a social mission get a chance to secure funding, be mentored by experts, and gain access to resources and a network of accelerators that can help them grow their business.
BPI Sinag is open to social entrepreneurs who are 18 years old and above and have been operating their social enterprises for at least two years. Interested applicants can visit sinag.bpifoundation.org to download the application form and submit the accomplished form to info.bpisinag@gmail.com. Deadline for entries is on May 27.