Recycling has been around for some time, but these days a greater number of people are taking a more serious approach to their recycling. With all the talk of global warming and greenhouse emissions, people are starting to think about how they can minimize the effects of these conditions on the environment. The greatest help has come from raising awareness, through the education of our primary school students, with environmental sustainability and recycling being hot topics taught in our classrooms.
This education is happening all around the world. On my trip to Africa, I was pleased to find evidence of this even in Swaziland. Swaziland is located in southern Africa, and is one of the smallest countries on the African continent. There, help from a company is paying dividends. Efforts are being made by the company, and the citizens, to recycle through creating new products from old products. In turn, this helps residents earn an income for the local community.
What excited me most is that recycled glass is used to make many of the gift items produced by the company, and children and others in the region are paid to collect glass bottles used in making them. Clean up days are organized by this company, utilizing children from nearby schools, and in return the schools receive sponsorship, or products, from the company to help sustain themselves. These efforts help encourage awareness about recycling, and do something very positive for the environment in general.
Once the glass is collected, it is crushed and melted down in a large gas-fired furnace. Artisans blow the glass into shapes to make the attractive products. They use a combination of hand, and mouth blown techniques to create the individual designs. The artists create many products, which all have a very African theme.
Their designs include glass animal figurines and sculptures. These gorgeous African animals: elephants, hippos, and giraffes, come in all sizes, from very small to quite large. The artists also make intriguing bottle stoppers, vases, and glasses. Each item is unique and has its own individual character; no two items are the same.
People are always in search of that unique gift, something that stands out from the rest, something that has a story behind it. Knowing that the products being manufactured are helping feed and support communities in Africa, the company is also trying to instill environmental awareness in the people of these remote communities. This needs to be recognized and encouraged.
Our world would be a better place if more companies took an interest in environmental awareness.
Copyright: Copyright © 2008 Nicole Maschwitz
About the Author:| Nicole Maschwitz writes about fashion and design. When you are in the market to shop the world for distinctive jewelry, handmade handbags, unique gifts or decorative home wares, please visit Gift Hut and browse their selection of products from around the world at: http://www.gifthut.com.au
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