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Lockdown Life Lessons
Tag: Insights
PH Trash Talk
In 2015, the International Group Ocean Conservatory and McKinsey Center for Business & Environment ranked the Philippines as the 3rd biggest contributor to plastic waste that goes into worldwide seas.
This translates to the earth-shaking figures below.
based on 21 waste assessments conducted in 6 cities and 7 municipalities in the Philippines.
The research illustrates that a year’s worth of sachets can cover the entire Metro Manila one foot deep in plastic waste.
If that is not alarming enough, then the entire nation will literally be underneath a big pile of trash.
Be the Change
How can we be part of the solution? Taking small steps to cut down on plastic use every day may start out as tiny ripples that can become gigantic waves with immeasurable impact on the environment.
Choose to Refuse
The potential of not using any plastic for an entire month may sound impossible — and unfortunately, it pretty much is. But let it not stop you from trying. Instead, it’s all about being part of the solution in a way that works for your lifestyle — while still naturally challenging yourself.
With the pandemic still evidently posing a clear danger and risk, it may be trickier than usual to avoid single-use plastic this July. That is completely understandable as the world prioritizes health and safety above environment-friendly. Instead of being hard on yourself, be completely aware to use something reusable instead of something single-use whenever possible. At restaurants, bars and venues, say no to a straw as you order your drink. Choose products with less packaging while out shopping. Every little ‘no’ adds up.
As a guide, simply think — If you can’t reuse it, refuse it.
Aim to Reduce
We can all do our bit to cut down on plastic we use every day.
It can start with bringing your own utensils when dining out, using your own bottle for drinks and refills, bringing a bag when shopping. Choose loose fruits and vegetables from the supermarket or take your own containers when grocery shopping. If that is still too much, start with disposing off your plastic waste responsibly, or picking up plastic trash you spot on the way.
According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (Gaia) from its five-year trash audit, the average Filipino uses 591 pieces of plastic sachets, 174 shopping bags, and 163 plastic “labo” (translucent) bags or almost a thousand plastic pieces yearly.
If every one Filipino would reduce plastic use by even a half every day, we liberate our country from 464 pieces of plastic every year or over 50 billion plastic wastes if every one of the 110 million Filipinos would do the same.
Start to Reuse
Remember the times when you were duped by a tumbler of ice cream in the freezer containing frozen meat or fish? Or when Grandma’s collected glass coffee containers suddenly repurposed as drinking glasses at home?
Chided as habits that are uniquely Filipino (only in the Philippines), these were practical efforts of our elders to reuse old containers instead of dumping them straight into the bin to decrease household waste
Certainly, one good habit worth keeping and passing on to generations.
So before throwing something into that dumpster, remember Grandma and take a good look at it.
Give it a second chance at being useful, and yourself, the opportunity to save the world.
Simply Segregate
Remember the old Sesame Street song … “One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn’t belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others, By the time I finish my song?”
For the GenX, this may be our first lesson in segregating. Only this time, we sort not candies nor shapes, but waste. There may be different categories to group your trash but the simplest principle is to separate the Wet from Dry. Other than for environment preservation and protection of human health, waste segregation at source improves collection efficiency and leads to better processing of waste.
As a business entity, let’s make it as easy as possible for people to correctly segregate waste in by labeling, making sure there are enough accessible bins and making it clear why segregation is so important.
As a consumer, the next time you’re presented with a choice to put your plastic bottle in a general waste bin or a plastic bin, reach over to the plastic one and drop it in there.
Make the Switch
Choose the healthier and earth-friendlier alternative this July. Below are some items you can immediately consider to make that big Switch.
- Paper towels or napkins to cloth or linen.
- Facial tissues o handkerchiefs.
- Disposable plates, cups, and cutlery to washable silver.
- Plastic food bags to washable reusable food containers.
- Plastic straws to metal or bamboo types.
- Gift wrapping paper to recycled magazine pages or newspapers.
- BYO refillable water jug versus bottled water.
- Mugs for your everyday coffee instead of paper coffee cups.
- Choose loose veggies and fruits over cling wrapped ones.
- Your own reusable bag instead of plastic ones.
The choice is simple – Plastic or Planet?
Spread the Word!
Tell others about what you are doing and encourage them to reduce plastic use as well. Don’t be afraid to guilt-trip them if you spot them using unnecessary plastic! There are many ways and channels to make people aware of the problem in the environment.
Use the power of communication on a personal, professional, and digital level to influence people to REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, SEGREGATE, SWITCH, and SPREAD the word.
Still too much waste? Sort your stuff and repair, repurpose, re-sell or regift.
Remember, someone’s trash may be another one’s treasure.
So what can we do to help?
We might say that we can leave this problem for eco-warriors, bigger organizations, or the government to handle, thinking there is little or nothing we can do to impact a change. On the flip side, we can also say that this is way out of our league. The truth of the matter is, this problem involves everyone living on this planet, and it is a sacred responsibility to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Whether we are a private corporation, in public service, an ordinary citizen, or a world leader, there is always an action to be taken to be part of the solution.
WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma says, “We’re so used to the alleged ‘convenience’ and ‘efficiency’ of plastic because it’s cheap and easy to dump. We have to go back to the basics. In the end, all this convenience will cost more, for us and for our children.”
Are you ready to make the plastic-free pledge? Let us help you find that spot where you can spark a solution and be the change.
Leading the Way: Gen Z’s Innovative Impact
In celebration of International Youth Day, we had a candid conversation with our young employees to understand the unique perspectives and strengths that define Gen Z. With their tech-savviness and future-oriented thinking, Gen Z is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. We explored their thoughts and their remarkable qualities, and how they harmoniously navigate a diverse and multi-generational workforce.
Unveiling Gen Z: A Mosaic of Strengths and Innovation
In exploring the most remarkable aspects of Gen Z, our young employees offered unique insights that define their generation as a dynamic force for positive change. Here’s a glimpse into what sets Gen Z apart:
Ange: “One of the highlights of being a Gen Z member is that we are open to diversity and inclusivity. We are more accepting of others’ preferences. This inclusivity not only enriches our interactions but also propels us to create environments where differences are celebrated and contribute to a more harmonious world.”
Clarissa: “We are not afraid to give our opinions and to accept criticisms. We are very opinionated. This candidness not only allows us to express our thoughts authentically, it also fosters a culture of open dialogue and continuous improvement. We’re unafraid to contribute our perspectives, enhancing collaboration and growth.”
Rod: “We are mature in our thinking at this age. The pandemic is a big factor in why we think and act maturely. The challenges we’ve faced have accelerated our growth and sense of responsibility, shaping us into a generation that is prepared to tackle complex issues with a mature and thoughtful approach.”
Sean: “Gen Z is more creative; they can give new ideas and shed light on some issues that were not discussed before because past generations were more conservative about discussing them. Our creativity enables us to unearth innovative solutions and address previously overlooked problems. By pushing boundaries, we’re able to drive meaningful change.”
These insights collectively illustrate a generation that is defined by its openness, candidness, maturity, and creativity. Gen Z’s willingness to embrace diversity, communicate honestly, approach challenges with maturity, and generate novel ideas demonstrates its commitment to shaping a more inclusive, innovative, and forward-thinking world.
Championing Unity: Gen Z’s Approach to Shattering Stereotypes in the Workplace
As members of Gen Z, our young professionals offer their perspective on how they tackle the stigma. Qualities such as overdependence on technology, lack of work ethic, entitlement, social activism as performative, short attention spans, unrealistic expectations, are often attached to their generation within the workplace. Their strategies for addressing these misconceptions shed light on their dedication to collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect.
Rod: “As a Gen Z employee, I tackle the stigma, like the lack of work ethic of our generation, by actively collaborating with my older colleagues and supervisors. By keeping communication open, we ensure we’re all on the same page and prevent any misunderstandings. I make sure to express my thoughts in a respectful manner to avoid any misinterpretations. Additionally, I believe in building strong relationships with my more senior colleagues, learning from their experiences and applying them for my own career advancement.”
Sean: “It’s unfortunate that our generation is often labeled with stigmas like lack of work ethic or entitlement. These perceptions stem from past issues like corporate exploitation and unequal treatment. What’s heartening is that Gen Z isn’t simply accepting these problems. Thanks to the internet, we’re becoming more aware of these issues and are willing to stand up against mistreatment. We’re reshaping the concept of employment as a mutual investment, not just a favor. It feels good to be part of a generation that’s pushing for positive change and being the change that previous generations couldn’t be.”
Clarissa: “When it comes to stigmas like social activism as performative, short attention spans, and unrealistic expectations attached to Gen Z, I believe actions speak louder than words. To counter these misconceptions, I focus on setting clear goals, showing unwavering commitment to my projects, and taking full responsibility for my tasks. Our eagerness to collaborate and learn play a key role in challenging these stereotypes. I also find that having a proactive mindset, seeking mentorship, and being open to feedback demonstrates our genuine dedication to success. Learning from experienced colleagues and valuing the journey of improvement showcases our hard work and growth-oriented attitude.”
Ange: “Being part of Gen Z at work, I understand that people might have some wrong ideas about us. I want to talk about these ideas fairly. Yes, we do use technology a lot, but I think it can be really useful when we use it right. I try to find a good balance between using technology for work and talking to my coworkers face-to-face so we can work well together.”
Harmonizing Generations: Gen Z’s Blueprint for Collaborative Success in the Workplace
In today’s modern workplace setting, intergenerational collaboration is a hallmark of success. Our Gen Z employees, equipped with insight and empathy, share their strategies for seamlessly navigating interactions with colleagues from different generations, emphasizing respect, understanding, and mutual growth.
Clarissa: “Adjust and help others. Adapting to the unique approaches and working styles of colleagues from different generations creates a harmonious environment. By lending a helping hand and being receptive to their needs, we contribute to a culture of cooperation that transcends generational differences.”
Rod: Pakikisama and respect are essential for navigating multi-generational dynamics. Recognizing that diverse perspectives enrich our shared objectives fosters camaraderie. By respecting their viewpoints and experiences, we forge a bond that’s essential for productive collaboration.”
Ange: “Educating myself and learning from the knowledge and insights of colleagues from older generations enrich our understanding. By investing time to build connections and proving our dedication, we earn their trust and cultivate a platform for effective teamwork. By fostering an environment of learning and mutual respect, we bridge the gap between generations.”
Sean: “Active listening, openness to opinions, and clear communication are vital. By cultivating an atmosphere where each generation’s perspectives are valued and understood, we pave the way for effective collaboration.”
Closing Thoughts: Navigating the Future with Gen Z Insights
Their insights reveal a generation unafraid to challenge stigmas, dismantle barriers, and foster a culture of collaboration. Their openness to diverse viewpoints, ability to adapt, and commitment to respectful communication underline their role as catalysts for intergenerational harmony within the workplace.
Indeed the unwavering spirit of Gen Z is shaping a world where diversity and collaboration are put into action, and where the voices of the young contribute to a symphony of progress. With their progressive mindset, inclusivity-focused approach, and readiness to embrace change, Gen Z is poised to lead the way into a future that holds promise for all.