JOIN USWe always discard the things that are no longer useful or required. But for ‘Silver Nut Tree’, a Bengaluru-based start-up, waste is wealth. Its founders have combined their love for art with a social cause, that of spreading environmental awareness, by converting trash into handy materials. Rejected plastic bottles, bottle caps, washers, nuts and CDs, which contribute to the increasing garbage in the landfills are upcycled to beautiful art pieces. The bottles are given a new shape and form and can even make for some quirky jewellery and colourful home decorations.
The minds that worked behind the ideas are Angeline Robinson and Rituparna Das, an ex-banker and an ex-graphic designer respectively. Taking a break from their careers, they gave their ideas a life by starting ‘Silver Nut Tree’ three years back. Now, they say that they do not want to get back to the usual rat race. “The idea of recycling was mulling in our heads. Our daughters are being taught about recycling and waste management in school. We wanted to show them that these things are feasible and started discussing our ideas with each other. That is how ‘Silver Nut Tree’ was born,” says Angeline. She adds, “We also wanted to show everyone that one need not compromise on quality while going green and recycling stuff. There can be a whole new range of products arising from waste.”
Not expecting much, the duo first experimented with ballerina earrings and posted the pictures on the Facebook page they had created. The feedback they got was overwhelming. “As soon as the very first earring went on the page, we got seven to eight orders for the same. Everyone wanted it and they were all more than thrilled to know that these were created from waste plastic bottles,” she says excitedly. Learning the business potential, they experimented and crafted different kinds of accessories and home decor, turning trash into useful materials. “We received a lot of support on our Facebook page. We also collected 10,000 to 12,000 waste bottles from many friends and well-wishers. Their support was overwhelming and it motivated us on our go green concept,” she says.
Not a trained jewellery artist, she says, “We had no idea about jewellery making. We did not know how to assemble these pretty things. It was almost like we were in a mad scientific land and experimenting on new things.”
Getting hold of the art of jewellery making, they did not stop at just that. They went on to make some home decor items including glow lamp, shade lamp and tealight holder to name a few.
Today, they make some of the most unique and quirky handcrafted jewellery. “When we deliver these handmade items to our customers, the first question they ask is what part is made of plastic bottle?” she says. Reasonably priced, these products can make up for a beautiful home and also a beautiful you.