Let’s make Earth Day everyday

April 20, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Achieving environmental sustainability is, indeed, every Juan’s responsibility. And if we are to meet the United Nations’ climate goals in our current tight timeline, we need to work together.

Shangri-La Plaza and its partner brands share their sustainability initiatives with the hope of inspiring and encouraging everyone to also do their bit for the planet.

Japanese lifestyle brand Muji has always been committed to recycling and cutting packaging waste, and it’s helping guests do the same by offering water refilling service at its Shang store. Just bring your own bottle!

Candid Coffee’s 100% compostable cups are made from sustainable bamboo plants with sugarcane bagasse cup lids and straws that are all free from sneaky plastic coating.

The Travel Club+ carries hip Herschel bags crafted from 100% recycled EcoSystem fabrics made of repurposed water bottles.

Japanese eyewear brand Owndays pitches in with its Filipino-designed Cases for Change wherein 100% of the sales go to non-profits like Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA) that’s collected 1,600 pounds of trash in 2023 alone, as part of its efforts to protect sea turtles and conserve the marine ecosystem in La Union.

The Marketplace also strides towards a cleaner future by carrying limited-edition “Seas the Day” shopping bags, with proceeds going to marine conservation organization Save Philippine Seas.

Gadget geeks for the planet can head over to Power Mac Center for the first-ever carbon neutral Apple Watch Series, integrating recycled materials into its watchband while running on clean electricity and cutting down on fossil fuels in its supply chain.

Playtime just got a lot kinder to Mother Earth, too, as Lego now makes bricks from renewable materials like sugarcane-based bio-PE and recycled materials from kitchen worktops.

American apparel retailer Gap is pulling its weight for the environment. Its Washwell techniques in making denim and woven bottoms have already saved over 830 million liters of water since 2016.

New Balance steps towards a better planet by using preferred leather and recycled polyester in its shoes, reducing environmental impacts and a reliance on fossil fuels.

Apart from choosing consciously made products, Shangri-La Plaza has also encouraged everyone to speak up and pledge their support for the environment with its #IStandWithMotherEarth Pledge Wall up during the recent Earth Hour celebration. It served as a reminder about what everyone can do for the planet and to apply these eco-friendly swaps and commitments in their everyday lives. The Earth Hour initiative also included the candle-lit “Live at the Shang! Turn Up the Dark” acoustic event featuring Viva Records artists Amiel Sol, Marielle Belleza, Michael Keith, Carlo, and Minimal Days.

Shang will also host a post-Earth Day outdoor workout session with boutique cycling studio Ride Revolution at the Sky Garden on April 27.

With collective action bringing us more hope for the future, Shangri-La Plaza hopes to inspire more people to take little steps in making everyday Earth Day.

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