Annie Rose Habal, 27, a resident of Lapu-Lapu, Legazpi City, finds simple creativity in contributing to the environment by making plastic bottles into recycled hanging garden pots, planting onion leaves.
On her first attempt, Habal showcases her skills by creating 23 pieces in 15 hours, making the recycled plastic bottle pots out of materials she bought at a nearby junk shop.
Despite experiencing exhaustion and pain, such as cutting her hands and feet with a cutter, she continues making the pots, which were originally a project for her children.
Habal had no intention of selling, but her kindness pushed her to help other mothers who lacked the time or ability to do their own projects.
“Struggle is real ang pag gawa kasi nahiwa ko yung kamay at paa ko ng cutter at sa totoo lang po wala ako balak na-mag benta kaso po namimilit yung ibang mommy na gawan ko sila kasi wala sila time and hindi po marunong,” Habal said in an interview with Bicoldotph.
Habal believes that making plastic bottle pots is a great help in reducing plastic bottle waste, especially considering the abundance of trashed plastic bottles in the environment.
Aside from helping the environment, she also considered that by planting onion leaves or other edible plants suitable for recycled plastic bottles, her family would be able to save money. Instead of buying them, they can simply pick them up from the recycled plastic bottles.
“Bukod sa sinubukan na gawing libangan ang pagtatanim, at para makatulong sa aking pamilya sa pang araw araw na gastusin, pambili ng bigas, at kung ano ano ay naisipan kong gumawa neto. Isa itong malaking tulong sa aking pamilya, maging sa ating kalikasan, nababawasan neto ang mga basurang itinatapon kung saan-saan,” Habal said. I Alliah Jane Babila