$16.00
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Who made this product? The cooperative, COPAVIC, formed in 1976 when seventeen artisans came together and reopened a former glass factory in Cantel, Guatemala.
Why is it ethical? These artisans crush and then melt down broken discarded glass and hand blow the molten fragments into fresh recycled pieces. Not only does COPAVIC protect and renew their environment with recycled glass, they revitalized their community with living wages, insurance, and skills that continue to serve artisans beyond COPAVIC’s kiln-lined walls.
The hand blowing glass cooperative in Xela, Guatemala, was founded in 1976 with the goal of creating jobs that would provide a living wage, health insurance, and support for local families. Driven by a shared vision, the artisans of this cooperative took the initiative to secure a small loan to purchase land and build their kiln and workspace. Over four decades later, the cooperative of 40 artisans continue to transform recycled glass into beautiful glassware, staying true to their original mission of creating a sustainable livelihood free from exploitation while protecting the environment and supporting community development.
