Bringing back sustainability into Filipino tingi culture
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Filipinos traditionally patronized the tingi culture, where consumers purchased goods in precise quantities often using reusable containers. However, what was once sustainable had been co-opted by corporations, proliferating the use of harmful plastic sachets.
“Kuha sa Tingi” is a project that introduces small-portion refill systems for everyday commodities at affordable prices in sari-sari stores, allowing consumers from all socioeconomic sectors to refill their reusable containers with the exact quantities they need.
The report shows that investment in large scale refill systems can mitigate sachet pollution. It shows that reuse and refill are not just effective solutions to the plastic crisis, but are also sound business models that benefit suppliers, retailers, consumers, and local government units—while helping protect the environment and communities.