Refill Revolution returns to Ateneo

Organized by the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability, the Refill Revolution made a strong comeback at the Gonzaga Foyer from February 26-28, 2025 and offered the Ateneo community a sustainable way to stock up on everyday essentials. This iteration was co-organized with the Campus Life Division of OADSAS, Sanggunian, Coalition of Organizations in Ateneo - Manila (COA-M), Ateneo Biological Organization (BOx), and Ateneo Environmental Science Society (AESS).

Despite their busy schedules, students, faculty, and staff made the extra effort to bring their own containers, refilling kitchen and personal care staples such as hand soap, dishwashing liquid, powder detergent, and shampoo. The booth also showcased locally crafted and upcycled items, including tote bags, hats, aprons, children’s toys, and jewelry made from sea glass. Over the three-day event, 196 pieces of single-use plastic packaging were avoided, with 38 coming from refills alone, a clear sign of the community’s growing commitment to low waste living.

The Philippines generates a staggering 61,000 metric tons of waste daily, including 163 million plastic sachet packets, 48 million shopping bags, and 45 million thin-film bags every single day. Each year, 70% of the material value of plastics is lost, costing the economy between $790 million and $890 million. These numbers serve as a wake-up call to rethink our reliance on disposable packaging and push for more sustainable alternatives.

Refill stations, like Back to Basics Ecostore, offer a practical and innovative way to cut down on plastic waste. By simply choosing to refill reusable containers instead of purchasing products in disposable packaging, we break free from the throwaway culture and move towards a more circular economy.

You may watch the recap of the Refill Revolution here. AIS will continue to partner with Back to Basics for future Refill Revolution for the Ateneo community.