An illuminating solution

Chic upcycled-plastic-bottle pendant lamps – made by Colombian artisans

Faced with the environmental problem that tonnes of discarded plastic bottles pose to the Colombian Amazon, psychologist and conservationist Hélène Le Drogou and Madrid-based product designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón worked together to come up with an illuminating solution – quite literally.

Inspired by traditional Colombian weaving techniques, Catalán de Ocón conceived of a series of colourful lampshades made using discarded plastic bottles. With the advice of Artesanías de Colombia and the backing of the Coca-Cola Company, the duo established an ethical and economically sustainable Bogotá-based workshop of artisans (who had been displaced by the country’s guerilla warfare) to produce a collection of shades.

Based on the shape of bamboo Japanese tea stirrers, each PET Lamp is a unique creation that is woven by hand following the bottles’ original form. The lines where the plastic moulds meet serve as horizontal and vertical references for the cutting and spinning, and the top of each bottle remains in tact in order to connect the electrical components to the lampshade. The various designs reflect the different ethnic groups who have woven the shades: for example, the Emperara-Siapadara, who hail from the country’s warmer climes, use palm-tree fronds and natural dyes in their pieces; while the Guambianos, who live in the colder Andes, incorporate wool and cotton into their work.

First showcased at the Spazio Rossana Orlandi store in Milan, the textural lights were spotted by Jasper Conran, who secured UK exclusivity for the striking collection of 35 designs at The Conran Shop for their first two months of sale.

Available in eight different sizes (from £90), the lights can also be grouped in sets of three, six, nine, 12 or 21 to make dazzling installations – with colours and designs chosen to fit a specific space. “The PET Lamps are an ingenious way of transforming a discarded piece of waste into a beautiful and desirable product,” says Conran. “I love the way you can group them together to create a charming, fun and unique display – the combination of colours and shapes instantly makes one happy.”