Re-Volta das Embalagens
Re-Volta das Embalagens
CLIENT: Tetra Pak
PARTNERS: Blindesign, Fundação AFID, Tetra Pak, TOUCH
LOCATION: Lisbon, Portugal
DATE: 2009-2015
The “Return of the packaging” is a collection of beautiful handmade products based on the reuse of packaging. More than simply a manufacturing process, the program is a true example of social sustainability and recycling done right.
TOUCH worked with the designers to improve the products both in terms of design and price points and has helped to introduce the products to market.
Story
The project was started in 2009 by Rita Carrilho and Rita Melo in Lisbon.
The packaging is collected from various local partners such as Comunidade Vida e Paz, which provides support to homeless at night, and CERCIZIMBRA, which works with children with disability, as well as local schools, cafes, businesses, friends and relatives.
Process
After the packaging has been collected, they are sent to AFID, a foundation that rehabilitates mentally handicapped people. The people in the program wash the containers, cut, break them by hand to soften and create texture to the material. Working with their hands has been proven to have a positive impact in their rehabilitation process.
After the material has been prepared and separated by colors, it is sent to a women’s correctional facility in Tires, outside of Lisbon, where it is stitched and transformed into bags. Being turned inside out from the original purpose, the silver lining that served as a barrier for light sensitive milk products, now turns into the shiny outside, while the original outside serves as a colorful inside pattern.
Impact
The program received international attention and the products were sold in design stores worldwide, including the MoMA store in New York.
In 2015 Blindesign aimed to bring together various collaborators - partnering with TETRA PAK and TOUCH to scale up the project. A workspace was created at AFID Foundation and workshops were done to teach the handicapped people also to sew the bags.
