Uprooting plastic pollution one sheet at a time

Rooted from a research study formulated by a create duo, paragis, a type that pester the fields, was transformed into an eco-friendly and sustainable product. While others see paragis as a mere weed, a pair of youthful initiatives hailing from the mountains of Aklan saw a great potential within palagtiki. All around abundant, and a material of strong fibers, the paragis was processed into an eco-friendly paper that can be made into envelopes, paper bags and egg trays.

This ingenious creation is the brainchild of childhood friends and former classmates Cedreyk B. Iguiron and Jenny Salmingo of Barangay Nazareth, Buruanga, Aklan. Both were graduates from Aklan State University; while Jenny earned a degree in agriculture Cedreyk found his voice through a degree in communication. Beyond friendship, they were partners back in their senior high school year, desiring to harness the untapped potential of paragis grass and create a sustainable product. What started as a school research back in 2020, now evolves into a unique venture that created an economic opportunity for farmers and a solution to the over usage of plastic-based packaging, highlighting youthful creativity, environmental responsibility, and sustainability.

“We sourced our raw materials (paragis grass) from farmers- the Habana Farmers Association. This helped them generate additional income, as well as getting rid of the invasive paragis grass that may hinder crop growth,” Jenny shared.

Apart from benefitting the farmers, this venture also delves into the pressing issue of plastics. As an employee of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Buruanga, Jenny is exposed to an abundance of environmental issues that plague the local community. She saw the danger of plastic materials evolving into a nightmare, leaving  the beauty of the natural resources of her beloved hometown into ruin. Despite the constant efforts of the local government, plastic waste still end up on the coastlines and beaches, most of which were single use plastic wrappings. 

Cedreyk, whose a broadcaster at a local radio station, also encountered the same environmental issues that, not only threatens the natural habitat, but also the well-being of the community. This effect played a vital role in the creation of Ecosheets; this advanced the green and sustainable initiative that aims to lessen the use of plastic wrappings – an answer to a call for action.

The hunger to ease the increasing problem with plastic pollution, mixed with their passion to apply innovation, Cedreyk and Jenny participated in the Young Farmers Challenge under the Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Division of the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas, winning a grand total of P80,000. This granted them collaboration and partnership particularly with the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas, in which they were provided further assistance and opportunities. 

New to such ventures, they also gained mentorship that boosted their knowledge in the marketing aspect and inspired them to achieve more of their goals. The Local Government Unit of Buruanga has also given Ecosheets hands-on support, enabling the duo to promote their product and maintain a steady customer basis. The LGU also recognized the contribution of  Ecosheets to their relentless efforts to reduce plastic use and preserve the natural resources of Buruanga. Jenny and Cedreyk desire to expand their ventures into a larger-scale manufacturing, planning to establish a production facility, since  Jenny’s humble home currently doubles as their initial processing site. Aside from their usual customized eco bags and envelopes, the duo plans to create more paper-made products and widen their reach. Advocating for zero-waste production, the team started processing the scrap sheets of their paragis paper, shaping it into quail egg trays. As they explore with various resources that can be processed into paper, abaca was next in line for their experiment, establishing a partnership with the abaca farmers of Libacao, Aklan.

Visionaries that were initially filled with doubt, these two took a leap of faith and strive to manifest their ideas into reality; a reality that seek to abstain from the mainstream approach of tackling the worsening environmental degradation that stems from the use of non-biodegradable materials. The lack of experience in the field of innovating paper-making and harnessing it into a business didn’t hinder Jenny and Cedreyk to participate in the YFC. EcoSheets’ commitment on their environmental advocacy was more than enough to keep on moving forward. What they thought was impossible became the defining moment of their journey. A ticket to share their creation, stand as advocates for environmental responsibility, and disperse the seed of innovation to future young agripreneurs,

“Don’t let your crazy ideas be hindered by doubt – what seemed to be impossible at first may be your greatest innovation.” ~ Cedreyk Iguiron###

Story by: Georgia Mae Cordova & Photos by: Vivien Nimue Quimpo/DA-RAFIS