Casa do Vidro in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil is a creative initiative that reuses discarded glass and repurposes them into objects of beauty, all of which are for sale. The brainchild of founder Carlos Cardinal, the focus of Casa do Vidro is to reuse, recreate, and repurpose everyday discarded glass bottles, jars, and other glass objects into new, usable and attractive decorative and functional designs. In an area renowned for sustainable ecotourism, Casa do Vidro is a shining example of what can be achieved with inspiration and initiative.
Glass Display
During our visit in mid-March 2019 to Bonito in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, we "discovered" the Casa do Vidro where we spent an enjoyable evening learning about the project and seeing their incredible offerings for sale.
Did you ever wonder what happens to post-consumer glass? By post-consumer glass we are referring to glass beverage, spirits, and perfume bottles, condiment jars, cosmetic containers, and other everyday glass items that are used and then discarded. Now imagine the volume of glass from personal use as well as from restaurants, industries, and institutions, and the volume of discarded glass becomes mind-boggling.
Hanging Lamps
In 2014, founder Carlos Cardinal decided to do something about the large quantity of glass that was being thrown away in Bonito and thus the initiative was born. A small but creative staff are making a difference in the world and in their community by using their talents and discarded glass. While there are glass recycling centers around the world that crush glass for recycling, Caso do Vidro uses intact glass and creates something new.
Their process makes it easy for people to drop off unwanted glass 24-hours per day and deposit it in a special bin located across the street from Casa do Vidro. In the morning, workers gather the glass from the bin, sort it by color, size, and shape. The next step is transforming the discarded glass into new EcoDesigns available for purchase.
Speaking with Gina, the manager, and touring their facility, we learned that water, soft drink, and beer bottles are cut and etched to create drinking glasses. The ribbed necks of the bottles may become Checkers pieces or a handle on a cup, or a top on a jar. The "stem" of the bottle may become a candlestick or incense holder, ensuring that as much, or all, of the glass is repurposed. The only limit to what they can create is their imagination, and from what we saw watching Nieva Prieto Barboza work, their imagination is limitless.
Nieva and Gina
Casa do Vidro
We especially loved seeing the finished products, especially the custom and etched work designs. In addition to creating new pieces, they can sometimes work with a customer to salvage a favorite broken piece and create something new for them.
Bottleneck Checkers
"King Me"
We also learned that larger glass bottles can be cut into cylindrical shapes to create decorative mobiles or lamps. Bottoms of larger bottles can be transformed into wall sconces, bowls, ice buckets, or planters. Other fun and whimsical pieces were clocks or lamps made from spirits or perfume decanters, an attractive cakestand made from a plate with a champagne glass stem, frosted and etched vases, and so much more.
Colored Etched Glass
Casa do Vidro creations can be seen throughout Bonito, as evidenced at Pastel Bonito where we stopped to enjoy a late afternoon snack of pastels (Brazilian pastry filled with cheese or other ingredients) and noticed they had custom glasses with their logo etched on them. When we visited Casa do Vidro, we learned that the glasses at Pastel Bonito were once bottles that were created from recycled, repurposed, and etched to create something unique for the restaurant.
Green Glassware
Creating something new and beautiful from something that would be discarded is a great initiative indeed. Thanks Casa do Vidro for making a difference in the world and for creating unique and beautiful gifts.
For more information on Casa do Vidro or to purchase their products, please visit their Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/casadovidrooficial.
Casa do Vidro is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 11:00 am, and from 1:00pm until 7:00 pm, and on Saturday from 8:00 am until noon.
Casa do Vidro
Rua Afonso Pena, 587
Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, (MS)
CEP 79290-000
Brazil
Telephone: +55 67 32552297
Email: casadovidrodobonitoms@gmail.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/casadovidrooficial
Instagram: @casadovidrooficial
Read more about our experiences in Brazil inthe Pantanal and Bonito in the Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs’ Recipes, and Adventures sections.
VIDEOS:
o Watch as Gina, Manager at Casa do Vidro, talks about Casa do Vidro – in Portuguese – https://youtu.be/zBwEct_2SqI
o Watch Debra C. Argen talk about Casa do Vidro in English – https://youtu.be/PQLWDURH840
Important Travel and Planning Information
How to Get There from São Paulo
Azul Airlines flies from Campinas (VCP) Airport to Bonito (BYO) airport.The flight time is 1 hour and 35 minutes. Note Azul Airlines only flies to Bonito on select days of the week. Check their schedule accordingly. Flight time 3 hours 25 minutes.
GOL Airlines and LATAM fly from Guarulhos (GRU) International Airport to Campo Grande (CGR). The flight time is roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. To get from Campo Grande, the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul to Bonito, you can rent a car. Drive time is roughly 3 hours 40 minutes.
Travel and Tourism information:
Agência Ygarapé
We used Agência Ygarapé for expert and professional tour information and booking our adventures. The agency has been providing high-quality, attentive service for tours, packages, accommodations, and transport services and more for over 20+years, serving Bonito and the Pantanal region.
Please visit their site for more information (site is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish): www.ygarape.com.br.
Agência Ygarapé is opendaily from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm (and until 10:00 pm during high season).
Agência Ygarapé
Rua Coronel Pilad Rebuá, 1853, Centro
Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS)
CEP 79290-000
Brazil
Telephone: +55 (67)3255-1733
Cellular: +55 (67) 99213-7374
Skype: ygarapetour
Email: informacao@ygarape.com.br
Website: www.Ygarape.com.br
Facebook: www.facebook.com/agenciaygarape
Instagram: @agenciaygarape
Visit Brasil
For more information on Bonito and Pantanal, please visit: http://www.visitbrasil.com/en/destinos/bonito.html, http://www.visitbrasil.com/pt/destinos/bonito.html
Important Tips for Bonito and Pantanal
Bonito is focused on eco-tourism and as such they only allow a certain number of visitors to eco sites each day. Be sure to book your tours well in advance to not miss out.
For Water Sports (snorkeling), the sites request that you not use sunscreen, tanning lotions, or insect repellentto help keep the waters pristine.
Going hiking in the woods? Wear light colored clothing as dark colored clothing attracts mosquitos!
There are no ATMs, only banks: Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Caixa Economica and Sicredi, so plan accordingly. Some small restaurants accept cash only.
Shops stay open late in Bonito usually until around 10:00 pm and most accept credit cards.
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