Zero-waste store Amgu moves into a new eco hub

Photos courtesy of AMGU’s Facebook page

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Zero-waste store Amgu has moved from a boutique style store into a garage store.

Amgu, a Cebuano word that means awareness, continues its #wayplastikay lifestyle advocacy amid the challenges of the pandemic.

One of the owners, Ranji Madarang, told CDN Digital that aside from being cost-efficient, the new place is now bigger, allowing them to cater to more households.

“[The] pandemic had hit us hard, sales was not even enough on overhead expenses and debts were piling up. We couldn’t catch up and closing the business was never an option. We needed to think a better option that will not only benefit us but also continue the advocacy,” she said.

“And since our advocacy is to help consumers in starting to live sustainably, we decided to be closer to a residential area, so we can cater more household with the refill concept. We wanted to show to them that bringing their own containers when doing groceries is possible. Also we want to show to future entrepreneurs that they can always start small, any tiny space at home can be converted to a store,” Madarang added.

One of their ways to spread awareness is to educate small communities, especially the ones who lives in the coastal areas, on ways to avoid single-use plastic (SUP).

Madarang believes that this kind of lifestyle is possible for everyone and that small steps “will create ripples and will have a big impact on change.”

She said that taking small steps has power and in fact, she has an advice to people who want to start an eco-friendly lifestyle.

“I always say to start small, that one single step matters. Assess your trash at home, what is it that consumes more plastic in your household and start with that. In my case, I am a slave for sachets — shampoo, coffee to name a few. I then started with shampoo and conditioner bars and eventually everything else follow,” Madarang said.

Read: Former call center agents open first zero-waste store in Cebu

“You don’t have to go full switch right away. Focus on one first until you get used to it, the next thing you know you are already avoiding all SUP’s. If you can’t reuse, refuse,”

“Zero-waste had been a practice ever since, we just got busy with our lives that we want everything convenient for us. Living zero-waste is not only saving the Planet, it’s saving the future generations. We don’t want them suffering from our present actions. It’s our responsibility to give them a beautiful home — There’s no Planet B, this is it, this is our only home,” she added.

Madarang moved the store in their garage at 5A Elizabeth Pond Street. Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City last January 28, 2021.

Aside from advocating an eco-friendly lifestyle, Amgu also supports local products in Cebu and nearby provinces including social enterprises that help local farmers, fishermen and NGOs through fair trade.

The store sells products that  are made of organic materials like  shampoos and soaps, utensils, lip balms and oatmeals refills among others.

/bmjo