ESSENTIALLY GREEN

PURE ESSENTIALS MARCY SANTOS

While there is still a long way to go, more and more people are becoming aware of the urgent need to find sustainable solutions to our planet’s damaged ecosytems and dwindling resources. The rising level of awareness and concern for the environment over the last decade have sparked a lot of green initiatives and has inspired committed advocates to combat a slew of environmental issues. One such person is Marcy Santos, founder and owner of Pure Essentials PH.

In a bid to do her part in becoming more involved with addressing the climate crisis, Santos decided to put up a business that provides more eco-friendly and natural products. That was how Pure Essentials PH started. In the beginning, the socially conscious entrepreneur had to take on everything herself to make ends meet.

Santos played multiple roles: Social Media Manager, Customer Relations Officer, Production Crew, Brand Manager, Sales Representative, and Chief Finance Officer. And she was doing all of this alongside her corporate day job. With the help of her supportive family and friends who volunteered their talents and expertise to Pure Essentials PH, Santos managed to keep her business going until it started to get recognized.

Currently, it’s known for advocating a zero-waste and sustainable lifestyle through its natural handmade products, which are packaged in reusable containers. Right now,

Pure Essentials PH has been partnering with different eco-friendly stores to showcase its products and is talking to different environmental NGOS to help them promote their advocacies as well. The brand has also been able to increase its presence through several corporate and wedding requests.

“I guess that when you are in the zerowaste community, you become more aware of what’s happening in the environment. This knowledge helped us craft a better brand that really captures our advocacy. And in turn, aside from the products that we produce, we also promote climate crisis awareness so everyone knows how they can help out,” Santos explains.

Pure’s products take longer to prepare because they’re all handmade, so Santos is usually busier on days prior to an event, coordinating with different suppliers and preparing the materials ahead of schedule. Despite the chaotic pace her business sometimes entails, the environmental advocate looks at the bigger picture.

“We get to help the environment! We donate a big percentage of our sales to help promote the cause of environment NGOS. In September, we partnered with Philippine Eagle Foundation; October, with Katala Foundation; and this November, with Save Philippine Seas. It’s so rewarding knowing that we can help further their cause in our little ways. We also get to help increase awareness on environment and climate change and strengthen the zerowaste community,” said Santos.

While most of the products are handmade, most people aren’t aware of how extensively eco-friendly the brand is. Soap poaches and natural soaps are also handmade, with the latter requiring at least 40 days of “curing,” hence the price. The containers are also limited to glass and aluminum for sustainability purposes and are sourced from local suppliers, which means less carbon footprint.

“We make sure to stay true to our statement that we are ‘eco-friendly’—from our products, its packaging, and our partnered suppliers. When you buy from Pure, you are not just supporting a local business, you are also supporting our advocacy of promoting a zero-waste and sustainable lifestyle, our local suppliers, and several environment NGOS protecting and promoting the conservation of Philippine eagle, pangolins, Sea turtles, and other wildlife,” said Santos.