Broome business revolution: upcycling glassware

Written on the 6 June 2017

Nikola Leo is a local Broome resident whose emerging local business is paving the way for innovative local production, transforming used wine bottles into boutique glassware.

Upcycle Revolution is passionate about transforming the way we perceive consumerism by handcrafting high quality, long lasting products from misplaced resources. In Australia alone, 500,000 tonnes of glass goes to landfill each year, where it takes up to one million years to break down.

Nikola said, "By purchasing this product you are supporting upcycling, which is superior to recycling because it requires less energy to complete the process."

Upcycling involves transforming misplaced resources into products of higher quality than their original form. Glass bottles that are lucky enough to make it to the recycling bin have to be transported to a recycling facility, then reduced back to their raw materials before being made into new, lower quality products. Whilst this process is much more environmentally responsible than landfill, it still requires vast resources and is fossil fuel dependent.

"This is where we step in!" Nikola says.

"Upcycle Revolution rescues bottles from cafes, restaurants and resorts to give them a second life. The bottles are hand cut and polished with love to create durable, stylish glassware. Even the packaging is made from 100% recycled cardboard! It doesn't get much better than that!"

Nikola sells here stock at the Broome Makers Gallery in Johnny Chi Lane, at the Courthouse Markets and has recently launched her website.