And what if we weave baskets with recycled paper?

Within their sustainability objectives, Colegio Los Nogales opened its doors to us to design, develop, and produce a series of Teacher's Day gifts that not only fulfill the purpose of being functional objects but also carry deeper meaning, telling a story and creating an impact. At aManolab, we initially focused on social impact; designing a product crafted by artisan hands to generate income where it is most needed and to highlight artisanal work. However, in this case, we went further to consider environmental impact, using the school's own waste as material for creation. We designed baskets woven from recycled paper, perfect for use as pencil holders on a teacher's desk. Once the product was approved, the school began collecting daily paper waste, and at aManolab, we started training artisans to ensure uniform and high-quality production. A month later, we received 50 kg of paper and began preparing the material for weaving. Weaving with paper is not a simple process; it begins with material selection, choosing suitable colors, removing hooks, and cutting into strips. Once the paper is ready, it is rolled into fibers for weaving. With this prepared material, weaving begins. In one month, with the help of 6 artisans from Bogotá, we wove 170 baskets, transforming waste into functional objects full of stories, all crafted by hand!

Clicking HERE you can watch a video made by the school to show the process.