Kuha Sa Tingi: redefining convenience, reducing plastic waste
In the heart of the Philippines, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Kuha Sa Tingi, an initiative championed by Greenpeace Philippines, is transforming the country’s deeply ingrained “tingi” culture (a consumer behavior where goods are bought and traded in small quantities, often in single servings) into something infinitely more sustainable.
While small, single-use sachets – used for everything from shampoo to coffee – are affordable in the short-term, they’re a major source of plastic pollution in the environment, with billions of sachets discarded annually. To create a new normal, Greenpeace Philippines launched Kuha Sa Tingi, a movement that reinvents how small (and large) amounts of everyday products are sold.
From tingi culture to ‘bring-it’ culture
Through partnerships with local government units and small retailers (sari-sari stores), the initiative is replacing single-use plastic sachets with refill stations, allowing consumers to bring their own reusable containers. This simple shift drastically cuts down plastic waste, while keeping purchases accessible for low-income communities.
The rollout has been widely supported, with 40 store owners across Metro Manila receiving kits to set up refill stations. In Quezon City, the program launched with 30 pilot stores. Mayor Joy Belmonte emphasised that the project proves sustainability can be both affordable and inclusive, especially for marginalised communities. Similarly, 10 sari-sari stores in San Juan have embraced the refill model, offering products like detergent and dishwashing liquid in tingi-size quantities.
Response and results
The collaboration between Greenpeace Philippines, Impact Hub, and the local government has helped make refilling more accessible, encouraging residents to shift away from single-use plastics.
Early data suggests that refill options reduce costs by up to 201% compared to sachet purchases. Store owners, too, benefit, reporting a 15% increase in profits as refills become a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.
Overall, locals have responded positively, recognising the environmental and economic benefits of the initiative, with more barangays set to introduce refill dispensers in the coming months. And since its inception in 2022 until the end of 2024, Kuha sa Tingi has reached over 2,000 stores and avoided an impressive 3.9M sachets.
“When we shift to refill and reuse systems, we are not just cutting down on plastic waste—we are building a future where people and the planet thrive together,” said Marian Ledesma, from Greenpeace Philippines.
To achieve wider impact and scale up these reuse and refill systems, the initiative partners are advocating for policy change to support their efforts.
Find out more
Want to learn more about bringing sustainability back to Filipino tingi culture? Read the Greenpeace report.
Download our Philippines Plastic Solutions Showcase booklet – a powerful collection of local innovations and grassroots action making a real difference.
