At PET Lamp, craftsmanship and cultural respect are the foundation of this sustainable luxury lighting brand. Since 2012, this Spanish design studio has transformed discarded PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles into unique lampshades by partnering with artisans worldwide. The brand employs ancestral weaving techniques indigenous to each local region, recycling PET bottles into stunning, functional art pieces.
One-of-a-Kind Lampshades Inspired by Global Cultures
Sebastián Betanzo, co-founder of PET Lamp, says their journey began in Bogotá, Colombia, where they hosted a workshop. Artisans collected discarded plastic bottles from the streets and wove them into lampshades using local materials. By allowing artisans the freedom to design patterns and colors, each lamp became a representation of the culture. PET Lamps has replicated this approach in other countries, all using their own distinctive weaving techniques and materials.
Eco-Friendly Designs from Columbia, Chile, Ethiopia, and Asia
Beyond Columbia, artisans in Chile weave with wicker, a sturdy material that enables diverse lamp shapes. Unlike in Colombia, where bottles are readily found on the streets, Chilean artisans source them from recycling centers. Ethiopia presents another challenge—plastic bottles are scarce as people use them for storing fresh water. Here, artisans source bottles from markets, demonstrating their resourcefulness and sustainability mindset.
In Japan and Thailand, bamboo is the material of choice for weaving. Artisans combine bamboo with PET bottles, hiding the bottles within the neck of the lampshade. This variety of traditional materials with repurposed plastic highlights PET Lamp’s dedication to integrating ancestral craftsmanship.
PET Lamp’s Ghanaian Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Sustainable Art and Design
The brand’s breathtaking chandelier, designed with artisans in Ghana, embraces a universal story of home and community. Inspired by traditional family compounds, circular structures that expand as families grow, Ghanaian artisans create one giant community lamp. Each artisan weaves their own ‘room,’ and combines to form a large architectural lighting piece. This chandelier represents not just light but the interconnectedness of culture, community, and belonging.
Sustainable Luxury Lighting with a Commitment to Safety
Once crafted, the lampshades arrive at PET Lamp’s Madrid design headquarters and are assembled into lighting fixtures. Each lamp is backed by UL and B Corp certifications, ensuring every finished lamp is safe and beautiful.
A Movement Where Ethical Craftsmanship Meets Sustainable Design
PET Lamp inspires an environmentally friendly movement towards sustainable lighting while celebrating the stories and cultures of artisans worldwide. By recycling discarded plastic bottles into luminous art pieces, they prove that sustainability and luxury design can coexist beautifully.
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