Roanna Medina is wide-eyed and soft spoken. She pauses before she speaks, as if measuring the weight of each word in her head. And though each word comes out in almost a whisper, they fill the air that rests between us with the composure of a woman of conviction.

Have you ever considered how much waste you’ve produced over the years? Imagine the amount of trash that’s come out of your house all your life. Alarmed yet? Now, don’t feel too hopeless.

I braved the traffic in Mandaluyong to visit Manila’s newest package-free shop, Humble Market… was instantly smitten with rows of dispensers and oldie but goodie products (hello metal razor!).