Kreativno staklo Srbije

Creative Glass Serbia

Kreativno staklo Srbije

Creative Glass Serbia

CHAKO Zanzibar: A perfect blend of glass upcycling and social entrepreneurship

Hiliki tegle, dizajn i izrada: CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Hiliki jars, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

CHAKO Zanzibar: A perfect blend of glass upcycling and social entrepreneurship

Hiliki jars, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

CHAKO, which in Swahili means “yours,” is the name of a social enterprise for glass upcycling in Zanzibar. Its workshop is located in the middle of a spice plantation, about five kilometres from Stone Town, the old city centre of the island’s capital, where CHAKO has its flagship store. Both the workshop and the store have become vibrant tourist attractions, as for over a decade this pioneering enterprise has been passionately devoted to raising ecological awareness among visitors and the island’s local community.

Jua, viseća lampa, dizajn i izrada: CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Jua, pendant lamp, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

Corporate profit serves to eliminate waste in Zanzibar

In the spirit of social entrepreneurship, CHAKO operates with the idea to invest its profits from the sale of products and services in achieving its social mission – to eliminate waste in Zanzibar, mostly generated by the tourism industry (around 200,000 tourists annually). Thus, all of the company’s profits are directed toward collecting and upcycling glass waste into practical and beautiful products; employing local people in these activities, and providing education to raise ecological awareness among tourists and the local community.

With the support of Tanzanian authorities, of which Zanzibar is a part, and the TUI CARE Foundation, dedicated to harnessing tourism as a force for positive social change, CHAKO has experienced remarkable growth. Over the past three years alone, its workforce has tripled to 60 employees. Revenues are also growing, but the enterprise is still not fully financially self-sustainable, and donations remain essential.

CHAKO now collects and transforms more than two million glass bottles every year, positioning itself as a vital engine of Zanzibar’s circular economy. Discarded bottles sourced from hotels, resorts, restaurants, and landfills are reborn as elegant lamps, jars, carafes, glasses, vases, candle holders, as well as terrazzo glass panels, made from crushed glass bonded with some cement. Producing one square meter of terrazzo, used for tables, floors and and walls, requires more than 60 bottles.

Production of CHAKO glass preserves traditional woodcarving

The beauty of these products is significantly enhanced by hand-carved wooden details – jar lids, decorative borders, and bottle stoppers. By employing local woodcarvers, CHAKO helps to preserve this traditional craft, one of Zanzibar’s most distinctive features and an integral part of the Indian Ocean’s cultural heritage. Most tourists on the island notice the wooden doors of old houses, richly decorated with carvings inspired by Arab and Indian traders, as well as the authentic Swahili carving tradition. Purchasing CHAKO products, they can take a piece of that heritage home with them. The items feature simple geometric and floral motifs from Swahili tradition, carved in Mninga wood, a locally sourced African teak. Using only basic chisels and hammers, even young women at CHAKO practice this craft.

Rezbarenje drveta u radionici CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Woodcarving in the CHAKO Zanzibar workshop II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

The beauty of these products is significantly enhanced by hand-carved wooden details – jar lids, decorative borders, and bottle stoppers. By employing local woodcarvers, CHAKO helps to preserve this traditional craft, one of Zanzibar’s most distinctive features and an integral part of the Indian Ocean’s cultural heritage. Most tourists on the island notice the wooden doors of old houses, richly decorated with carvings inspired by Arab and Indian traders, as well as the authentic Swahili carving tradition. Purchasing CHAKO products, they can take a piece of that heritage home with them. The items feature simple geometric and floral motifs from Swahili tradition, carved in Mninga wood, a locally sourced African teak. Using only basic chisels and hammers, even young women at CHAKO practice this craft.

Rezbarenje drveta u radionici CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Woodcarving in the CHAKO Zanzibar workshop II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

The upcycling of glass bottles at CHAKO is based on the use of simple hand tools and glass-cutting machines that consume little electricity. Faced with frequent, nearly daily power outages on the island, the workshop also harnesses solar energy and has perfected a method of cutting bottles using a candle flame. Although this technique slows production considerably, it ensures that work continues uninterrupted. By collecting rainwater, CHAKO further conserves resources, aiming to become a zero-waste workshop as soon as possible.

The founders’ forward-thinking idea

The founders of the enterprise are Suleiman Mohammed and Anneloes Roelandschap, a Zanzibari-Dutch couple. It all began in 2008, when they started creating their first products from used bottles, in the basement of the hotel where they were staying. They were ahead of their time, as upcycling and social entrepreneurship were still little discussed back then. Everything seemed like just an experiment, but they did manage to involve a few local women and, in 2010, open a small workshop in the Zenji Hotel’s boutique.
Taa, držač sveće, dizajn i izrada: CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Taa, candle holder, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

As interest in their upcycled creations grew, so did the need for a larger space to showcase all their products. This led to the founding of CHAKO in 2012. The enterprise gradually began employing more women and young people, particularly those with limited formal education and knowledge of English, whose opportunities to engage in the local economy were otherwise minimal.

Kilua, vaza, dizajn i izrada: CHAKO Zanzibar II fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Kilua, vase, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar
As interest in their upcycled creations grew, so did the need for a larger space to showcase all their products. This led to the founding of CHAKO in 2012. The enterprise gradually began employing more women and young people, particularly those with limited formal education and knowledge of English, whose opportunities to engage in the local economy were otherwise minimal.
In the beginning, they followed the “tourist-to-tourist” concept, creating souvenirs from the waste generated by tourists. By purchasing such souvenirs for friends and family, tourists are reducing their negative impact on the island. This concept has been retained, but also evolved, as the market now reaches customers around the world, many of whom have never even been to Zanzibar.

Zanzibari fair trade pioneer

CHAKO adheres to all ten principles of fair trade (offering fair working conditions, avoiding child and forced labour, respecting gender equality, operating transparently, and more), and its care for employees and the local community is exemplary. Since 2018, it has been a guaranteed member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), meaning that it didn’t merely pay a membership fee, but successfully passed an external evaluation, which confirmed its full compliance with fair trade standards. CHAKO is the first company from Zanzibar to become a WFTO member and is authorised to use the Guaranteed Fair Trade label.

Dafu, čaše i karaf, dizajn i izrada: CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Dafu, drinking glasses and carafe, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

CHAKO adheres to all ten principles of fair trade (offering fair working conditions, avoiding child and forced labour, respecting gender equality, operating transparently, and more), and its care for employees and the local community is exemplary. Since 2018, it has been a guaranteed member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), meaning that it didn’t merely pay a membership fee, but successfully passed an external evaluation, which confirmed its full compliance with fair trade standards. CHAKO is the first company from Zanzibar to become a WFTO member and is authorised to use the Guaranteed Fair Trade label.

Većina zaposlenih u CHAKO Zanzibar su žene || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Most of the employees at CHAKO Zanzibar are women II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar
The work environment at CHAKO feels almost like a family, with tasks learned gradually through hands-on experience. Social interaction is strongly encouraged, so employees often bond and have fun while carrying out simpler duties such as collecting, transporting, sorting, and washing bottles or packing products. Team spirit is continuously fostered, so group activities, such as full-day excursions, football matches, and shared dance breaks, are regularly organised.

Approximately 65% of CHAKO’s employees are women, and there is always an “Employee of the Month,” allowing everyone to get to know them better, offer praise, or provide constructive feedback. Creativity is daily encouraged, so everyone can suggest improvements to existing products and propose entirely new ones. Looking ahead, CHAKO plans to collaborate more closely with professional designers to develop new products in glass and plastic.

Building a platform for sustainable development on the island

CHAKO works with other artisans on the island as well, striving to raise their awareness of the waste problem. It regularly hosts them in its workshop, introducing them to upcycling techniques, target audiences, and current products on the market. Through co-creative workshops grounded in design thinking, artisans are encouraged to create new hip products. By empowering local craftsmen and craftswomen as drivers of the circular economy, CHAKO is building a wider platform for sustainable development throughout Zanzibar.

Hiliki XL tegle || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Hiliki XL jars, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

CHAKO works with other artisans on the island as well, striving to raise their awareness of the waste problem. It regularly hosts them in its workshop, introducing them to upcycling techniques, target audiences, and current products on the market. Through co-creative workshops grounded in design thinking, artisans are encouraged to create new hip products. By empowering local craftsmen and craftswomen as drivers of the circular economy, CHAKO is building a wider platform for sustainable development throughout Zanzibar.

This campaign also involves tourists, companies from around the world, and other interested groups. By paying for educational and tourist visits to the CHAKO workshop, all of them are funding free visits for local schoolchildren and students. Every ten dollars that a tourist spends on this tour is invested in bringing in and educating children and youth from the local communities. All visitors can watch how, for example, wine bottles are transformed into jars, and take part in simple and often fun tasks, such as pedalling a bicycle shredder of plastic bottles.

Bicikl-meljač plastičnih boca, alat i turistička atrakcija u radionici CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Bicycle shredder of plastic bottles, working tool and tourist attraction at CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

While touring the spice plantation where CHAKO is located, visitors can also gain a deeper understanding of why its products are named Dafu, Hiliki, Vanila Kijani, Asmini, Kikuba, Kilua, and so on – each name comes from a local plant species growing around the glass workshop and carrying its own story. 

Thus, CHAKO is not only a producer of popular upcycled glassware but also a powerful driver of social change in Zanzibar. Working to enhance the spiritual, social, and intellectual well-being of both local and seasonal residents, it operates under the motto Recycling, Upcycling & Uplifting! To improve the lives of socially vulnerable people on the island, CHAKO provides jobs, education, training, and sells sustainable products. Its employees earn incomes that meet their individual needs, enabling them to care for themselves and their families, while steadily gaining greater self-confidence.

Vanila Kijani XXL, tegla za špagete, dizajn i izrada: CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Vanila Kijani XXL, spaghetti jar, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar
Rad na apciklaži stakla, u radionici CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Upcycling waste glass at CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

Upcycling is a great friend of the planet

The sale of the products they make is also supported by facts derived from recent scientific research. It showed that a product’s local origin doesn’t guarantee the smallest carbon footprint. The most crucial factor is the method of production. By purchasing CHAKO products in Europe, buyers make a carbon footprint four times smaller than the footprint of purchasing European products made from new glass. Even when accounting for the carbon footprint of transporting upcycled products from Zanzibar to Europe, they are far more environmentally friendly than newly produced European glass products, which require mining, transporting, and melting sand, limestone, and soda at temperatures up to 1600°C.

The sale of the products they make is also supported by facts derived from recent scientific research. It showed that a product’s local origin doesn’t guarantee the smallest carbon footprint. The most crucial factor is the method of production. By purchasing CHAKO products in Europe, buyers make a carbon footprint four times smaller than the footprint of purchasing European products made from new glass. Even when accounting for the carbon footprint of transporting upcycled products from Zanzibar to Europe, they are far more environmentally friendly than newly produced European glass products, which require mining, transporting, and melting sand, limestone, and soda at temperatures up to 1600°C.

Aside from its signature glass products, CHAKO also upcycles discarded plastic, old paper, and sacks once used for rice, flour, and cement. Its Bahari chandelier, crafted from plastic, was recently honoured with the MIDA Grand Prize, awarded by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) at the 2024 International Fair Trade Summit. Paper beads and curtains were produced in-house until 2012, and since then have been sourced from local women’s groups that specialise in this craft.

Perle od starog papira, dizajn i izrada: lokalne ženske grupe za CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzib
Upcycled paper beads, design and production: Zanzibari women’s groups for CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

The upcycling of sacks, which CHAKO retrieves even from the sea and turns into beach bags, is particularly valuable, as such materials in the water can easily entangle and kill fish and turtles. Highlighting these environmental facts not only adds value to CHAKO’s products but also encourages positive behavioural change among those who improperly discard sacks, making the ecological education of both customers and the local community extremely important.

In the coming years, we would like to establish collaborations with professional designers to create new products made of glass and plastic… Strengthening the presence of our products in international markets is also an important priority for us… We further aim to develop a scalable business model for glass upcycling that could be applied in other tourist destinations as well.

– Anneloes Roelandschap, seminar Upcycling in Africa, 2022

Forodhani, stona lampa, dizajn i izrada: CHAKO Zanzibar || fotografija: ljubaznošću CHAKO Zanzibar
Forodhani, table lamp, design and production: CHAKO Zanzibar II photo: courtesy of CHAKO Zanzibar

Caring for people as a solution to local development challenges

Enabling employment and facilitating a holistic development of socially vulnerable residents of Zanzibar, Suleiman Mohammed and Anneloes Roelandschap have, in just over a decade, created a successful social enterprise focused on upcycling. The company not only significantly reduces waste on the island but also preserves a rich array of authentic local skills, from cleaning coral reefs and cutting glass with a candle flame to basket weaving and woodcarving. Thanks to these unique abilities of its employees, CHAKO products stand out in the niche market as they are easily recognisable by the intricately carved African teak elements.

Enabling employment and facilitating a holistic development of socially vulnerable residents of Zanzibar, Suleiman Mohammed and Anneloes Roelandschap have, in just over a decade, created a successful social enterprise focused on upcycling. The company not only significantly reduces waste on the island but also preserves a rich array of authentic local skills, from cleaning coral reefs and cutting glass with a candle flame to basket weaving and woodcarving. Thanks to these unique abilities of its employees, CHAKO products stand out in the niche market as they are easily recognisable by the intricately carved African teak elements.

Customers around the world are increasingly drawn to the philosophy and social impact behind CHAKO’s beautifully crafted lamps, jars, carafes, glasses, vases, and candle holders. As the product range gradually expands to include items made from other materials, such as the award-winning Bahari chandelier crafted from upcycled plastic, it is no wonder the brand has earned a permanent place at the world’s premier design fairs. CHAKO proves that glass upcycling combined with local artisanal traditions can create products of exceptional quality while simultaneously addressing pressing local development challenges (waste management, unemployment, social marginalisation, preservation of threatened biodiversity, etc.).

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