Two esteemed local designers, Deji Dada and Matthew Edwards, have used their talent to turn discarded bottles into beauty. 800kgs of recycled glass has been repurposed into an extraordinary collection. 

This is part of Heineken’s Waste-to-Wear initiative that is aimed at leading the charge towards a more sustainable future. 

Cheers to sustainability 

The Waste-to-Wear initiative transforms single-use Heineken bottles into stylish and functional items, with an emphasis on creativity and environmental stewardship. 

By transforming discarded beer bottles into wearable art and homeware, waste is reduced through sustainable design. 

Some of the products made from recycled bottles in this collaboration include 3000 rings, 3000 medallions, bespoke dinner sets, as well as a captivating pendant light. Each piece was crafted to showcase the potential of recycled materials in high-end design. 

Environment meets innovation

As a result of limited access to smaller-scale glass recycling facilities in the country, the designers collaborated with Eswatini’s Ngwenya Glass. 

The renowned artisanal glass factory near Mbabane played a pivotal part in the collaboration. In marrying environmental responsibility with innovative design, creativity within local communities was encouraged. Moreover, local craftsmanship was supported through a display in the transformative power of recycling. 

The project’s success has received international recognition and recently won Bronze at the New York Festivals Advertising Awards 2024. 

Some of the Waste-to-Wear home décor items created using recycled materials will be showcased at the upcoming Decorex exhibition. It will be taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 1-  4 August.