Sachet Culture

By: Chelsea Lorraine S. Parcia & Sean Ortiz Malabo

Published: July 8, 2022

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Plastic is everywhere. It’s in your house, local grocery stores, and even our bodies.

Also dubbed as tingi culture, sachet culture involved purchasing products in individual packaging. This is often seen as convenient on the consumer’s end, as they can only buy what they need at the time. Aside from its convenience, this is also travel-friendly as the essentials, i.e., food, condiments, or toiletries, can be packed into backpacks or travel bags, much to the advantage of travelers.

This is a no-brainer in the usual budgeting scheme for families or communes using similar resources. You can opt to open a sachet of, say, shampoo or soy sauce which you can use only once. However, this is a recurring issue not only for the Philippines but also in neighboring third-world countries. This is shown through the growing export market, leading multinational companies (MNCs) with plenty of opportunities to trade products with packaging intended for single use. Because of this, using single-use packaging plays a part in worsening the already piling up garbage and waste. This also pins the question on manufacturers' and businesses' responsibility regarding the packaging and quality of products they create. With single-use packaging, there is an increase in landfills and damage to oceans and farmlands. Considering these factors, this article aims to pave the way for Filipino youth to know more about sachet culture and acknowledge their part in mitigating its effects.

The Philippines has 2,700,000 metric tons of plastic waste produced annually, making it third among the world’s largest polluters. The current policies on waste management only address the reduction of the use of plastic bags, but not the actual packaging of products. This highlights the lack of action on the end of policymakers to look up the waste management issue in the country. Sadly, there are only a few recycling facilities (five, to be exact) in the country, while waste generation increased by 40,087 tons in 2016. Moreover, despite the clamor of various organizations to shed light on the issue, not everyone is aware of its effect on nature and one’s health. This makes the problem fall on deaf ears, worsening the situation once more. Especially during the pandemic, which aims to reduce physical contact with products and objects that may be carriers of COVID-19, the lack of engagement on the harmful effects of sachet culture intensifies the problem.

Plastic is everywhere. It’s in your house, local grocery stores, and even our bodies. Research has shown eight out of ten babies and nearly all adults have Phthalates in their bodies, which is a common plastic additive. While 93% of people have BPA or bisphenol A, have been found in their urine. An industrial chemical that has been used to make plastic and resin since the 1950s. But, how did plastics even have the chance to go into our bodies?

Microplastics. Microplastics, or tiny pieces of broken-down plastics that are from floating waste that are exposed to UV rays, making Microplastics smaller and smaller, until small enough for marine life to be able to easily consume them, therefore effortlessly making it into our food. Even if we did not consume marine animals. It has been proved that Microplastics have been found in our household dust around us Not only that they could very well be consumed from the plastic containers that we eat out of.

Since the appearance of microplastics, scientists have been concerned about how it affects our health. Various studies have shown that chemicals that are added to plastic, like BPA, it was observed that it can interfere with our Hormonal system and could cause type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. DEHP makes the plastic more flexible but could cause cancer. Although there is little science towards Microplastics so far. Don't stress about it and focus on making smart choices to improve.

Over 207 species worldwide are known to be affected by marine debris. I have seen stray dogs casually eating a plastic bag even when there were garbage cans around. What is more, when it is estimated that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic that are in the ocean that amount increases to 13 million metric tons of plastic a year. That is equivalent to one full garbage truck every minute. A study estimated that more than half of the world's sea turtles and as many as 90% of all sea birds consume it. Many sea animals have also been seen to get tangled by it and die.

After seeing the effects of plastic. How do we avoid worsening plastic pollution and avoid consuming it? Realistically, we cannot avoid using plastics 100%, so the best course of action is first to reuse them. We should all learn to bring our own reusable bags, cups, and straws. Reuse plastic bags instead of throwing them away or even use an empty plastic container as storage. Second is to always refuse. Refuse when the seller hands you your plastic bag or when the barista offers you a straw. Third is to reduce. Reduce by buying more bulk food and fewer packaged products. Fourth is to DIY or to do it yourself. Make a new tote bag out of old pillowcases, learn to sew to fix clothes, and build hanging pots for plants out of plastic bottles.

It’s common knowledge that eating plastic or anything non-biodegradable is bad. While BPA is the most harmful thing to unknowingly consume, it was proven when there were studies on rats, mice, and monkeys that these chemicals can cause problems in the lungs, brains, and reproductive systems. The main question is, how do we avoid it? It was advised that food should be heated on anything but plastic. It was also advised that BPA-free plastic containers are not recommended as they could cause similar effects. Replace them with glass containers and ceramics. Then as you reduce exposure, those chemicals that are stored in our fat cells will ultimately leave our system. There are hundreds of ways on making single-use plastics into multiple views and we can easily start now.

A recurring issue here is how these sachets are used, how they affect the environment, and how they will damage future generations, which policymakers and businesses should give the youth a chance to amend. Aside from individual accountability, policymakers must address this issue alongside improper waste management and accumulation of future landfills, worsening pollution. These policies should be implemented to hold companies responsible for the waste they produce, especially if these involve household products.

Moreover, there are ways to reuse the sachets. These can be repurposed into flower pots, vases, or pillow fillings. However, it is essential to note that individual responsibility and accountability alone cannot suffice in reversing the damages of single-use packaging. Plastic is everywhere. And there will always be a scene where you will face plastic, even if you are on a non-plastic waste lifestyle. But it is always important to always pick the right decisions on how to make this world better. However big the problem is, it is better to start to reuse, refuse, reduce, and DIY.

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References

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Reporter, G. S. (2020, October 15). Sachets help low-income communities but are a waste nightmare. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sachet-packaging-low-income-communities-waste-nightmare

Science, A. (2012, September 9). Plastic Oceans | What is the impact of pollution in the sea? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwTDvqaqPlM&feature=youtu.be

Sherma Benosa, Knowledge Management Officer of GAIA Asia Pacific. (2020, July 14). Did Filipino “Tingi” Culture Pave the Way for Plastic Sachets in the Philippines? Break Free From Plastic. https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/2020/07/14/did-filipino-tingi-culture-pave-the-way-for-plastic-sachets-in-the-philippines/

TEDx Talks. (2019, November 25). How to reduce your waste | Nila Patty | TEDxVenlo [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TDC-Zud_uM&feature=youtu.be