Friday 3 May 2019

A Good Lifestyle for You from The Good Trade


Are you looking forward to adopting a low or zero-waste, sustainable lifestyle? After you have reviewed your day-to-day habits and vowed to reduce the amount of stuff you waste or throw away each day, the time for you to shop has come! Of course, you know by now that you must start to shop responsibly and only choose products that will help you reduce waste and live a sustainable and eco-friendly life. Then, get to know The Good Trade PH, and consider it as your ally as you shop your way to sustainable living.

The Good Trade Fair at UP Town Center (Photo by Elle in Business)

The Good Trade organizes zero-waste and sustainability fairs and gatherings where environmentally and ethically conscious men and women can come together to converse, sell their goods, and/or shop. It is the brainchild of Jana Bunagan, who is into stock trading as her career and social entrepreneurship as her vocation, focusing on her advocacy to give back and help people achieve and enjoy a sustainable lifestyle. 

Jana began her passion projects in 2016 with Clover Hartly, now converted to Create Good, an online initiative divided into three categories: Re-Store  –  a pop-up space that gathers local brands that help various causes; Refresh – an avenue where one can donate used wedding and event flowers to hospices and shelters; and The Street Store – also a pop-up space but dedicated to giving the needy a chance to shop for free. Volunteers, especially store assistants, are welcome in these ventures. All these three are still up and running and creating positive impact in their respective cause.

Donated shoes at The Street Store (Photo from The Good Trade PH)

     The Good Trade came into Jana’s mind two years later, specifically in May 2018, when the zero-waste sustainable lifestyle became a trend. Her experiences in organizing pop-up spaces enabled her to quickly put up The Good Trade’s first fair with less than three months of preparation.

     The Good Trade’s first event was held in July 21 – 22, 2018 at the Bonifacio Global City Central Square where it was able to gather 35 merchants. 

The challenge then was how to bring merchants outside their comfort zones as most of them were only starting up, used to online selling, and consider the financing and manpower aspects in joining a bazaar a huge ordeal. But as they say, good things come to those who persevere. Fast forward to the present, The Good Trade is now having its Summer Series composed of four weekends in four locations. Recently (and successfully) concluded fairs were held in U.P. Town Center (April 13-14), and Ayala Malls The 30th (April 27-28). Next locations in the series are: 

-          Glorietta 2 (MRT/Makati), May 4 to 5
-          Alabang Town Center, May 11 to 12

(Photo from The Good Trade PH)

Some zero-waste and sustainable products being sold include organic soaps and shampoos and other personal care with minimal or no packaging or in reusable or biodegradable containers, bamboo toothbrushes and drinking straws, biodegradable cleaning materials, cloth sanitary pads, ethical fashion, fair trade food products, and many more.

https://www.facebook.com/mayumiorganics/ (Photo from The Good Trade PH)

Aside from being a venue for conscious shopping, The Good Trade Fair also hosts talks and workshops from good impact organizations. There will also be recycling stations, repair stations, and donation stations as well. Anyone can go to the Fair and shop as there is no entrance fee. Just visit The Good Trade’s website for details on future venues and partner merchants.


Information for Merchants

For interested merchants, they can visit The Good Trade website and check the dedicated page where interested merchants can apply. Only applicants that fall under at least one of the following categories will be considered:
  • Bulk Food + Homemade Snacks (Package free food)
  • Cause-driven (Fundraising, Provides livelihood for a community)
  • Sustainable Travel (Eco-tourism)
  • Ethical Fashion (Uses deadstock fabric + fair trade)
  • Upcycled (Uses old materials and turns them to something useful)
  • Refillables + Vegan Personal Care (Cruelty-free skin products)
  • Zero-waste Tools (Alternatives to single use products)

Rates depend on the venue inclusive of taxes.

My Personal Experience

      I was able to visit the first leg of their Summer Series at UP Town Center and the merchants there were all helpful and very friendly as you can see here at my photo with Angelica, chemist and owner of Mayumi Organics, and at my short video with Trisha, proprietor of ARTEM Skincare + Apothecary. I enjoyed shopping and I will share with you my haul on my next post so you can see what items you might like. I am certain that you too will enjoy shopping and conversing with great like-minded peeps in this very, very good event of The Good Trade. 


Angelica of Mayumi Organics (Photo by Elle in Business)

Trisha of ARTEM Skincare + Apothecary (Video by Elle in Business)






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