Introduction
The throwaway culture involves discarding items that “lose” their function, causing environmental damage. A prime example is disposable wooden chopsticks used mainly in Asian cuisine, which are quickly discarded. However, there’s an initiative that aims to halt this culture and give these chopsticks a second life, transforming them into furniture and design items for restaurants.
ChopValue’s Mission
ChopValue focuses on collecting discarded wooden chopsticks from restaurants in Mexico City and the Metropolitan Area, amassing around 600 kilograms of chopsticks from 150 restaurants. According to the National Directory of Economic Units (Denue), there are 901 sushi vendors and 175 Japanese food restaurants in the Greater Mexico City area.
Environmental Impact
Arturo Katz, CEO and co-founder of ChopValue Mexico, explains, “Not only are you preventing a tree from being cut down, but you’re also preserving a lung on the planet. We have an impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by preventing chopsticks from ending up in the trash.”
Through this recycling initiative, ChopValue prevents the emission of 1.2 million kilograms of carbon dioxide annually, though there’s still more progress to be made.
From Chopsticks to Table
ChopValue collaborates with local restaurants like Sushitto and Sushi Roll to train staff not to discard chopsticks, as they will be repurposed into furniture or restaurant items, including serving boards.
After collection, chopsticks undergo disinfection and sorting. “We create wood blocks from them, which can be used to make any product, from a keychain to interior decorations,” Katz explains.
The company has generated 30 jobs, with six full-time artisans. For customized orders requiring a color touch, they collaborate with vulnerable communities’ artisans for design and painting.
This collaboration has positively impacted 100 direct beneficiaries and 200 indirect ones.
Partnerships and Expansion
ChopValue has supplied products to major companies like Amazon Mexico, now their suppliers for warehouse desks. They also partner with cafeteria Tierra Garat to provide tables in their Mexico City branches.
Their goal is to establish 15 micro-factories in major cities like Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mérida to create a more sustainable business model.
ChopValue Mexico is part of the fifth generation of the IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and New Ventures program, which supports social entrepreneurs and offers mentorship.
