PET Lamp: Repurposing PET Bottles into Stunning Artisan Lamps
Every year, the world produces around 600 billion plastic bottles and packaging materials made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Unfortunately, most of these single-use plastics end up polluting our landfills and oceans. However, Spanish design firm PET Lamp is on a mission to give a new purpose to these discarded materials by partnering with artisans in communities around the globe.
PET Lamp collaborates with artisans from Chile to Ethiopia to Australia, celebrating both sustainability and Indigeneity. By drawing upon traditional craft techniques and supporting local economies, the company transforms PET bottles into beautiful and functional art pieces.
One of PET Lamp’s signature collections is the Gurunsi lamps, handwoven by artisans in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Inspired by the geometric patterns painted on clay homes in the region, these lamps are not only visually stunning but also environmentally conscious. The textiles are woven using basket-weaving skills and then shipped to Spain, where they are fitted with electrical elements to create unique light fixtures.
PET Lamp ensures that its collaborations with artisans are mutually beneficial by asking three key questions: Is a collaboration logistically possible? Is there a strong weaving tradition that can be elevated through collaboration? And will this project benefit the artisans involved?
The designs of PET Lamp’s fixtures are deeply rooted in local Indigenous traditions. For example, the Gurunsi lamps are influenced by Ghanaian vernacular architecture, while the Pikul lamps from Thailand draw inspiration from the flowers of the Spanish cherry tree. The Eperara Siapidara series from Colombia reimagines traditional geometric motifs in a colorful and contemporary way.
To learn more about PET Lamp and their sustainable design initiatives, visit their website. By repurposing PET bottles into stunning artisan lamps, PET Lamp is not only reducing plastic waste but also preserving traditional craft techniques and supporting local communities around the world.
