Baguio City continues to attract hordes of tourists looking to enjoy its cool climate, but like many tourist spots and urban centers, it faces waste management problems. Among those working to change this is Elke Kayle Cadangen, co-founder of Tingi Station, a zero-waste store that’s changing the way people shop.
Tingi Station’s story was recently featured on Utak VERDE, Baguio Chronicle’s environment-focused program that highlights sustainability initiatives.
Elke and her team launched Tingi Station in January 2022, but the idea had been brewing for years.
Growing up in Irisan, home to the now-defunct but still problematic Irisan dumpsite, she witnessed first-hand how waste accumulated over time. The unpleasant odors, the sight of garbage piling up—it was impossible to ignore.
But inspiration didn’t just come from seeing the problem; it also came from her mother, who often reminded her of how older generations lived sustainably before plastic packaging became the norm. “People used to buy just what they needed without all the extra packaging,” Elke recalls. “Somewhere along the way, we lost that practice.”
This realization led to the creation of Tingi Station, a store designed to help people buy their daily essentials without the need for single-use plastic. Instead of purchasing items in disposable sachets or plastic bottles, customers can bring their own containers and purchase only what they need. It’s a throwback to an old way of shopping but with a modern, eco-friendly twist.
Of course, introducing a new way of shopping hasn’t been easy.
Elke admits that the biggest challenge has been changing people’s habits. “Convenience is a tough competitor,” she says. “People are used to grabbing products off the shelf, using them, and throwing away the packaging. What we’re asking them to do requires effort—bringing their own containers, thinking about their purchases differently.”
However, those who do give it a try often become loyal customers. Many of them were already on their own sustainability journey before discovering Tingi Station, and the store has become a hub where like-minded people connect.
“We love it when people walk in out of curiosity, ask questions, and slowly start changing their habits,” Elke shares. “It might start with just one product, but over time, they see how much waste they’re reducing. That’s how change happens—one small step at a time.”
Another misconception Elke and her team work to dispel is the idea that zero-waste shopping is expensive. “People don’t realize that when they buy regular products, they’re paying for the packaging too,” she explains. “At Tingi Station, you pay for the product, not the container it comes in. In many cases, our prices are even lower than supermarket brands.”
Transparency is also a key part of their mission. Every product on their shelves comes from handpicked, mostly local suppliers who use eco-friendly and healthy ingredients. Shoppers can find a wide range of essentials, from household cleaners and personal care items to pantry staples like pasta, spices, and dried fruit. They even carry pet treats and vegan-friendly products.
To make things even easier for customers, Tingi Station offers community containers. People can donate their extra containers, which are then washed, sanitized, and made available for others to use. There are also reusable containers for sale, and the weight of each container is deducted at checkout to ensure customers only pay for the product inside.
But the vision for Tingi Station extends far beyond its two current locations—one at Megatower Residences near the Baguio post office, and another at the 2nd Floor of Rodriguez Building on Kayang Street, which opened in July 2023.
“The dream is to partner with sari-sari stores so that zero-waste shopping becomes accessible at the barangay level,” Elke shares. “We just need to establish a strong supply chain to make that happen.”
Elke also hopes more businesses will take steps toward sustainability. “Even small changes can make a big difference,” she says. “Coffee shops could offer incentives for customers who bring their own mugs. Stores could give discounts to those who use reusable bags. These aren’t huge sacrifices, but they add up over time.”
For those in Baguio who want to reduce their plastic waste, Tingi Station is worth a visit (actually, regular shopping visits).
More than just a store, Tingi Station is a movement that invites everyone to take small, meaningful steps toward a cleaner, greener future.
Who knows? That first small purchase in a reusable container might just be the start of a lifestyle change that benefits not only you but the planet as well.
