“If you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath whilst you count your money” – Dr. Guy McPherson
Ecopreneurship is a relatively new term coined to represent entrepreneurs whose business efforts are not only driven by profit, but also by a concern for the environment.
As Filipinos gain a new appreciation for eco friendly practices, ecopreneurship has become more widespread as an approach to identifying opportunities for improving environmental quality and capitalizing upon them for profit.
Ecopreneurs or green entrepreneurs are making a huge difference in how people do business by combining the idea of a greener future and having sustainable products as a lucrative business project to support that idea.
Mary Rose Arnejo is one such ecopreneur. She established Eco Hub Cebu to help the public switch to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Knowing Filipinos’ penchant for buying products on sale, Arnejo came up with Eco Hub Cebu so people will not have to choose between affordability and sustainability.
The young industrial engineer has been creating environment-friendly products for the business since 2018. Her products ranges from reusable stainless steel cutlery to bamboo toothbrushes, organic soaps, and eco shampoo bars.
Other products of her company include bagasse food packaging, bamboo coffee press, plantable pencils, refillable wooden pens, cacao nibs coconut sugar coated, chia seeds, collapsible tumbler.
MOTIVATION FOR ECOPRENEURSHIP
With the growing awareness of climate change, its links with natural catastrophes, and the urgent need for sustainable development, change is definitely in the air for Filipinos.
Like other young entrepreneurs, Arnejo saw a niche market for sustainable products. She also have the strong aspiration to help local farmers and her community.
“I truly want to make a difference, not just run a business,” Arnejo confessed. “I realized that the only way I can effectively help in mitigating climate change is if I can convince a lot of people to adopt a greener lifestyle.”
SPUR YOUTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Even before becoming an ecopreneur, Arnejo was already an environmentalist while studying industrual engineering at the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT).
She headed the Industrial Engineering Council’s Project Nowtbuks (Now is the Time to Build Up Kids for Sustainability), which won the Best Flagship Award during the International Assembly of Youth for Unesco in 2014.
Arnejo was also chosen as the 2015 Most Outstanding Unesco Club Youth Leader of the Philippines and was among the outstanding graduates of CIT for school year 2015-2016.
Now with Eco Hub, she is making her mark as an entrepreneur with a fierce love for the environment.
“I am hoping that with Eco Hub Cebu more people will be aware of how their shopping choices will make an impact on the environment. Hopefully, they decide to make more sustainable choices,” Arnejo mused.
ECO PENCIL
When Eco Hub Cebu started, one product became popular among buyers —- the “plantable” pencils. Eco Hub pitched that one can grow plants from the eco pencil simply by placing the stub on a moist soil.
Arnejo says that these “plantable” pencils are no different to regular pencils, except that its tail end is a “gelatin capsule” that contains plant seeds instead of an eraser enclosed in a metal case. When the pencil becomes too short to be used, one can simply plant it in potted soil and let it grow.
One can choose from basil, mint, citronella, tomato, sunflower, or carrot seeds, among others.
“So, instead of being thrown away, the pencil can be planted to grow herbs and vegetables,” Arnejo said.
Arnejo also disclosed that the capsules are preservative-free and non-GMO. The pencil is made of sustainable wood, graphite and clay.
The concept of a “plantable” pencil did not come from Arnejo but was inspired by a similar product pioneered by Sprout World, a company based in Europe.
“Thank God, the response has been positive on social media,” Arnejo happily disclosed. “A lot of our plantable pencils have been sold.”
Many of the buyers are those who cook and raise their own vegetables and herbs. There are some companies that buy the pencils for office use and as giveaways to clients.
AFFILIATE PROGRAM AND CO-WORKING SPACE
Eco Hub Cebu currently has an Affiliate Program for those interested to earn while giving discounts to their friends.
Recently, Eco Hub Cebu acquired a co-working Space called Cocoon: Cozy cave for Morphers. It is the newest eco-conscious coworking space in the city. The company aims to host members who thrive on progress both in career and environmental sustainability.
Cocoon offers a fast internet connection with speed of up to 100mbps, ergonomic chairs, designated workstations, designated power outlets, and an outdoor working area. The co-working space also serves eco-friendly, and locally sourced food and drinks.
You can visit Cocoon from 8AM-9PM Monday to Sunday at the 2nd level of Sy Building, F. Llamas Street, Tisa, Cebu City. For queries, click on the following link: https://ecohubcebu.com/
KMME COACHING FOR NEW ENTREPRENEURS
New entrepreneurs who want to gain the business knowledge Arnejo enjoyed can enroll at the Department of Trade and Industry’s Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprise (DTI-KMME) Online Course.
Arnejo, a KMME Online Batch 1 graduate, enthused that “the best part of KMME is networking with like minded entrepreneurs who share the passion of nurturing locally based companies and promoting goods for domestic and foreign markets.”
For more details, you may reach DTI Cebu Provincial Office thru Telephones (+632) 255-6971, 255-7082, and/or Mobile (+63)9173005806, 8am-5pm weekdays (except holidays).
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