You might be recycling incorrectly

MANILA, Philippines — Kiehl’s jumpstarts three-year plan to save the Philippine seas.

Not all plastics are equal.

“There are classifications such as 7 Other and PET 1. You have to recycle them with like plastics,” says Kiehl’s Philippines senior product manager Joan Hwang.

Which is why Kiehl’s latest endeavor involves a three-part, three-year plan to keep waste away from the oceans, beginning with adopting Anilao in Batangas.

“We want it to be even more long term which is why we’re taking steps to make it long-lasting,”

Brand director Kaila Nicdao tells YStyle, “We always made a conscious effort to give back to the community. With the Kiehl’s Gives platform, we focused on three pillars: the children, AIDS research, and the environment.”

The endeavor is fronted by twin celebrity brothers Richard and Raymond Gutierrez, Kiehl’s users since their high school days and beach and ocean lovers, who collaborated with the brand for their design of limited-edition packaging of their favorite products, the Calendula Toner (in 125ml) and the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream (50ml) made from 100-percent recycled materials available starting next month at all Kiehl’s retail stores nationwide.

Raymond had the idea to feature Richard’s underwater photography in the packaging he designed. “It is the tail of a humpback whale. It looks like an upside-down heart. I chose it because it is the greatest encounter in the ocean,” he says.

Proceeds go to Save Philippine Seas, a movement that aims to protect the country’s marine resources. “First, we deploy trash bins to keep waste away and conduct coastal and underwater cleanups,” says Anna Oposa, Save Philippine Seas co-founder and “chief mermaid.” “Second is Waste Watchers, where we teach commercial establishments and resorts in Anilao to reduce single-use plastic such as straws, bottles and cups and instead to reuse and monitor them every step of the way. Third is Earthducation, which is teaching public school teachers within Anilao.

“Environmental awareness is to be incorporated into the lesson plan,” she adds. “We need to make our teachers the front liners in conservation education.”

You can properly recycle your plastic cosmetics and skincare bottles at Kiehl’s stores. These bottles will be recycled into trash bins, which will be deployed through Kiehl’s partner barangay, Anilao. Three recycled bottles can be exchanged for a travel-sized sample of any Kiehl’s product of your choice.

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For more information, visit Kiehl’s Philippines on Facebook or Instagram @kiehlsphilippines or www.kiehls.com.ph/made-better.