Turning Trash into Treasure: Ugandan artist cashes in on glass waste recycling

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In Uganda, an artist is cashing in on glass waste recycling. Amos Wachira collects unwanted glass from bars, restaurants and hardware shops to make reusable products. The eco-friendly initiative is also providing jobs for others in the country. CGTN's Hillary Ayesiga spent a day with the craftsman at his workshop. Take a look.

To many locals here, this is just rubbish, but to Amos Wachira it's treasure. He recycles glass waste.

AMOS WACHIRA ARTISAN "I feel bad when I see people breaking bottles, throwing broken glasses, I feel bad because I need to recycle. My work is to recycle and also clean the environment."

The glass is melted at 1400 degrees Celsius. He's been doing this work for 15 years now.

HILLARY AYESIGA WAKISO CENTRAL, UGANDA "It takes just 10 minutes for Amos to shape a jar. With speed and good craftsmanship, he believes he'll easily meet the growing demand for his products."

Amos also trains young people in glass waste recycling. They design wine glasses, chandeliers and Vases among other products.

Products here cost between two to fifty dollars. Customers include homeowners, hotels and expatriates.

CATHERINE PELLISSIER CUSTOMER "I bought glasses and hanging vase something like 12 years ago and I still use them on a daily basis. Some of those stuff left for Europe when my kids departed for University, they took the glasses and jar and everybody in the family is using Amos stuff."

And as Amos churns out more products, he's hopeful that this initiative will help rid the environment of glass waste.

HILLARY AYESIGA, CGTN, WAKISO, CENTRAL UGANDA.