Habari!
Over the past few weeks, we have made great progress with our project on Zanzibar. At Chako, we’ve worked alongside professional weavers to develop a product that perfectly fits the island’s style and values.
After dozens of prototypes and brainstorming sessions, we’ve created three final products: a lamp with an open end, a lamp with a closed end, and a table lamp. Each of these products is made from approximately 250 grams of 100% upcycled plastic. The wooden frame is crafted from scrap wood, and the sawdust and wood chips are reused by farmers as bedding in chicken coops. Plastic strips that don’t meet the requirements are shredded again, allowing us to develop a fully circular product.
The most important result is that we’ve achieved our goal of creating a labor-intensive product. This means that Chako will hire artisans once a steady production line is established for the plastic-to-lamp project. In doing so, we are not only contributing to waste reduction but also creating jobs on the island.
At the moment, we are busy working on the commercial side. We’re preparing marketing materials such as brochures and professional photos and have scheduled meetings with hotels for potential bulk sales. The lamps are also being displayed at various Chako locations to gauge interest. With this, we hope to secure not only a sustainable product but also a sustainable future for the artisans. After all, sales are crucial to providing job security for the artisans.
Until the next update!
