During her time as a fashion marketer, Michelle Chow had a front-row seat to the massive waste generated by overproduction and consumption. Her experience inspired her to launch Pass It On, an online store with a range of sustainable home and lifestyle products.
Its signature offering? The company’s plantable candles line. In partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects, it has so far committed to planting 175,772 trees.
“The three pillars that help us stay focused on our mission are innovation, influence, and impact,” says Chow. “Reforestation is the most cost-efficient way to combat carbon emissions. Plus, it helps protect wildlife and conserve biodiversity, which ensures a healthy balance in our natural ecosystem.”
She is just getting started. Last year, Pass It On introduced Green-House, a retail event that sells eco-friendly products and educates shoppers on incorporating eco-conscious efforts into their daily lives. The second edition will take place this month, with over 10,000 visitors expected, more than double the number last year. Furthermore, Chow is overseeing R&D for new in-house products and planning for it to happen more than once a year.
Given their higher price tags, should we bother with sustainable products? Chow does not miss a beat when she points out that current price levels could fall one day due to supply and demand issues. “When mobile phones first came out, only the affluent could afford them. But as demand grew, they became accessible and affordable,” she says.
“Through events like Green-House, we hope to stimulate demand. We also hope more people will realise that sustainable products bring about health benefits, cleaner environments, and a more secure future for the next generation.”
