Recycling & Fair Trade

February 20, 2018

At Vineworks, we partner with many artisans in Haiti and around the globe that create art and other items out of the recyclable items they collect. These products include metal art made from recycled 55-gallon steel drums, aluminum and clay jewelry from our partners Papillon and 2nd Story Goods, and recycled water bags ironed together to make totes and wallets from our partner PeaceCYCLE.

Why Recycle?

There are many benefits to recycling. These benefits are the same regardless of country or time of year. The various steps necessary to recycle things create new jobs, which is incredibly helpful in economically struggling countries.

Recycling also allows companies and governments to spend less on scarce resources like fossil fuels which in turn boosts the economy.

Finally, it reduces the size of landfills and minimizes wastes. When a landfill is full, another has to be made, which takes up valuable space and also increases pollution.

Recycling in Haiti

In Haiti, the government only collects about 40% of the nations garbage, so that leaves the rest to pile up in the streets. Due to this, trash and sewage are dumped into the streets and gutters. When it rains, the gutters transport that trash into lower lying areas including the ocean and slums near the water. The only consistent method of trash removal is small burn piles in the streets that locals will start on fire when enough trash accumulates.

Because this is a huge problem, multiple artisan groups have planted themselves in Haiti to provide jobs to Haitians and clean up Haiti’s streets. The recycling efforts in Haiti have provided income to those who have no other way to make money. We are proud to partner with these individuals and groups to promote a cleaner Haiti and economic growth for the island.