Cover (Photo: From Cubo Modular's website)
The strict quarantine measures of the past two years to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 were also an eye-opener for us to see how our urban communities would look without traffic pollution. Here are seven enterprises in the country that help create a more sustainable environment for us:

Altum Concepts

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Above (Photo: From Altum Concept's website)

The circular design and strategy studio Altum Concepts, founded by its managing director and Gen T 2019 Honouree Carlo Delantar, focuses on the circular economy which involves reusing and recycling existing materials to create products. The company offers designing furniture, home accessories, custom-made pieces, interior design, home decor, lighting as well consulting and strategy. Together with Altum, business owners and private clients may turn their ideas and prototypes into reality.

altumconcepts.com

See also: 5 Foundations In The Philippines That Prioritise Nature And Sustainability

Human Nature

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Above (Photo: From Human Nature's website)

This brainchild of Gen T 2016 Honouree Anna Meloto-Wilk, Dylan Wilk, and Camille Meloto has been hailed as a trailblazing social enterprise since it first launched in 2008. Its range of natural personal care and beauty products is made out of its company's core principles of pro-Philippines, pro-poor, and pro-environment. This is because all of its world-class products are made locally with natural ingredients by Gawad Kalinga residents and communities to help alleviate their poverty. Furthermore, Human Nature uses recyclable bottles in its packaging to minimise its impacts on the country's environment.

humanheartnature.com

Read more: Dream Builder: Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga

Pedala Bike Messengers

Gen T Honouree Krie Reyes-Lopez and Candy Reyes-Alipio co-founded Pedala Bike Messengers in 2008 at the height of the gas crisis. This bicycle courier service is a social enterprise that offers cost-effective, same-day delivery services for small and medium enterprises. It is conscious of its effort of having a symbiotic relationship with its clients as well as its cyclists, aside from promoting the use of bicycles to address our environmental concerns. Currently, it covers Metro Manila (not crossing the NLEX and SLEX).

facebook.com/pedalabikemessengers

Cubo Modular

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Above (Photo: From Cubo Modular's website)

This is the first and only sustainable modular housing company in the country and is co-founded by Gen T 2021 Honouree Earl Patrick Forlales. It combines modular design, renewable materials, rapid manufacturing and assembly, and local craftsmanship in creating housing solutions for disaster-prone areas. The luxe design of its models makes them also suitable for the aesthetics of luxury resorts and summer getaways. Affordable and sustainable, Cubo Modular's models have earned top prizes from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, making them truly world-class.

cubo.ph

See also: 11 Brands That Offer Sustainable Food Packaging, Utensils, And Accessories

The Plastic Flamingo

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Above (Photo: The Plastic Flamingo)

François Lesage, the co-founder of social enterprise The Plastic Flamingo, saw a viral video of plastic trash floating around the Secret Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan. This propelled him and his wife to move to Manila in 2018 and build this startup that turns plastic waste into functional planks that can be used in making furniture, among a number of things.

plaf.com

SORA

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Above (Photo: Rustan's the Beauty Source)

Friends and business partners Mari Jasmine and Christine Dahl started SORA because of the growing need for towels that could not only be used in sports, wellness activities, and beach outings but also be environmentally friendly. Each towel of SORA is a fabric made of recycled plastic materials by Global Recycling Standard-certified factories, ensuring that responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices were used in production.

soralife.com

EcoNest Philippines

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Above (Photo: From EcoNest Philippines' website)

EcoNest of Gen T 2021 Honouree Nikki Sevilla helps address plastic pollution in the Philippines. It is the leading distributor of compostable, biodegradable packaging solutions for conscientious brands. It started in 2018 and was able to supply to over 1,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises. Online, anyone can buy trash bags, multi-use bags, t-shirt bags and more made of cassava from EcoNest, and many more that are compliant with local and global standards.

econestph.com

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