Nothing goes to waste in this Bacolod café
BACOLOD CITY—At first glance, it looks like the usual café with its trendy minimalistic designs, fancy light bulbs and menu written on a board with creative chalk strokes.
But looking at it closely, Wala Usik: Tiangge + Kapehan at Barangay Mandalagan in this city is something else.
Its name is coined from Hiligaynon phrases and words that aptly describe the cafe—“wala usik,” which means nothing goes to waste, “tiangge,” or small store, and “kapehan,” a coffee shop.
Considered the first of its kind in Negros Occidental province, it breaks the mold of a usual café as it aims to reduce the use of plastic packaging from fast-moving consumer products.
The initiative was conceived by Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI), a cluster of environmentalists based in Negros.
“The concept of Wala Usik was born out of the different conservation efforts of the foundation, especially from project Sweep (Sea Waste Education to Eradicate Plastic),” said Ida Vecino, research staff and social enterprise and economic development officer of PRRCFI.
This project implemented coastal cleanups and waste audits, where it was discovered that most waste materials reaching coastal areas were single-use packaging from the products used by Filipinos on a daily basis.
When it opened in January, Wala Usik made sure that every material was valued and not a single one wasted.
Backyard producers
The furniture and aesthetic features of the store mostly came from secondhand or repurposed materials.
The store sells not only well-blended coffee and pastries but also special zero-waste local and organic products.
Wala Usik offers home commodities like dishwashing liquid, detergents, condiments, rice, turmeric powder and hygienic care products such as liquid shampoo, hand soap, conditioners and body wash.
Recycled merchandises include bowls made of coconut shells, bamboo mugs, metal straws and cloth diapers—all of which came from backyard producers in the province.
“We also wanted to help small producers, craftsmen and artisans get to markets they have never served. This grassroots-inspired initiative helps a lot in securing products from nearby sources then introducing these to interested people and groups who wish to support the advocacy,” Vecino said.
One interesting feature of the store is its dispensing system. Condiments like cooking oil, soy sauce and vinegar are placed in huge transparent glass jars where customers can refill their reusable containers.
Profits are returned to the business and cover the expenses for the food and beverages sold in the kapehan as well as the stocks in the tiangge.
There are also plans to allocate money for future projects such as a materials recovery facility, a more organized storage setup and a better kitchen area.
As for the initiatives to expand its reach to people, the store’s management has been conducting a series of Wala Usik workshops and events where they educate the audience about waste, recycling and how to achieve a zero-waste way of life.
School partners
“We hold these workshops to help establishments identify the different types of waste they are generating and be able to think of ways to manage and ideally, reduce these,” Vecino said.
Wala Usik also has partner schools like Bulata National High School in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental, where they established the first zero-waste canteen in the province.
This canteen uses biodegradable, indigenous and reusable tools such as mugs made of bamboo, bowls from coconut shells and plates from banana leaves, and also targets the avoidance of processed food packaging in single-use plastic.
Own containers
Before anyone can buy their household products, customers must first bring their own containers as a way of discouraging the use of disposable plastics that are often thrown after a single use.
Wala Usik would even give customers a discount of P5 for coffee if they brought their own mugs.
“The transition or journey to a zero-waste lifestyle can be challenging, and can take time and a lot of effort, but like any change, if there is commitment and passion despite the challenges, one’s efforts can go a long way,” Vecino said.
