Since 1986, Nature’s Legacy has challenged the consumptive nature of manufacturing through their four sustainability tenents: recycled, biodegradable, ethical and communal. For Nature’s Legacy’s Founders, Cathy and Pete Delantar, these four make up the pillars of their company ethos, 360· Sustainability.
Two of the company’s most-celebrated material innovations are Naturecast® and Nucast®. The first was invented when the founders were strolling around their factory in Compostela, Cebu, and noticed piles of forest debris. They saw the potential of this abundant resource, used for nothing more than firewood, to be turned into a sustainable material. Naturecast®, went on to bag the 2015 Gold Invention Award in Geneva Switzerland. Nucast®, a patented material from recycled paper, was named “one of the world’s most innovative and eco-sustainable materials” by Material ConneXion, the largest resource library for sustainable materials in the world. No trees are cut in creating their raw materials.
Nature’s Legacy’s home decor, architectural elements, lighting and packaging leave no harmful traces to the environment once it’s reached the natural end of its product life. The binders used are non-toxic, odorless and water-based. The water used for their processing also come from a rain water catchment system. With majority of the products being handmade, very little non-renewable energy is used. And even when they do, the semi-mechanized production line uses bio-fuel. “What comes from nature should return to nature,” says the founders.
3 | Ethical
As part of their stance as an ethical business, Nature’s Legacy’s associates have been provided with a holistic ecosystem that allow the artisan disposition to give the utmost quality in their work. Apart from fair and transparent working conditions, wo-story housing units are provided 10 meters away from the Compostela factory. Carpools are available as employees ply between their showroom in Mandaue and their factory in Compostela. They also have a chapel in the factory and a Corporate Servant Leader dedicated to the artisans in order to ensure their spiritual and emotional wellness. Lastly, there’s the NLE Park, a dedicated space for weekend recreation.
4 | Communal
For those in the marginalized peripheries, Nature’s Legacy provides opportunities for mother artisans to earn even without leaving their households. With power supply being intermittent in the mountains, the mothers can still earn a living despite whatever living conditions they’re in as the products only require processing everything by hand. With utmost respect to local and production, the mothers are provided advances and above-standard wages.
While sustainability has been an overused buzzword these days, Nature’s Legacy’s dedication since its conception in 1983 has proven that it is way ahead of its game. In the years that they’ve practiced 360· sustainability, the founder realize, “It always goes back to the people. It’s not about money, prestige or power. It’s about building a life.”
