The Story of Salvage Studio

From a young age, my commitment to understanding the pressing challenges of climate change and the devastating impact of pollution on our environment drove me. Environmental cleanups and recycling became integral parts of my daily life. However, as the years passed and the gravity of climate-related news escalated, it became evident that individual efforts, while commendable, are not enough to accelerate the change we need.

Determined to make a more substantial impact, I pursued a degree in engineering to equip myself with the knowledge and skills required for meaningful environmental initiatives. Upon graduation, I eagerly sought opportunities to engage in local sustainability projects, only to discover that such opportunities were not as abundant as I had hoped.

I accepted a role in product development where I gained invaluable insights into designing plastic consumer goods. However, witnessing the staggering amount of manufacturing waste deeply troubled me. Despite my persistent efforts to champion sustainability within the organization, proposals for initiatives like recycled plastics, bio-polymers, and take-back programs were consistently dismissed. I was frustrated by the company's reluctance to prioritize sustainability without substantial buyer demand and ultimately decided to leave.

This pivotal moment inspired me to establish a company that would place sustainability at the core of its operations. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, the ocean and beach always held significant cultural and spiritual value in my life. When I returned recently, I noticed that the beaches were much more polluted than when I was growing up. Naturally, I picked up whatever waste I saw around. Then I realized everything I picked up would go to landfills if I just disposed of it. Although most of it could not be recycled curbside, a lot of it could be turned into something new. That’s when I decided to challenge myself to do just that.

In 2022, I embarked on a personal journey to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle, a noble endeavor that soon encountered the practical challenges posed by our fast-paced, consumption-driven world. Accumulating plastic waste from containers and similar sources, I recognized the limitations of individual recycling efforts, particularly with the industrial-scale processing required for common plastics like PET and PS.

Undeterred, I delved into research on recycling processes, small-scale methods, and safety considerations, all while acknowledging the inadequacies of large recycling plants in processing items such as utensils, straws, bottle caps, plastic bags, and wrappers—contributing to the concerning recycling efficiency statistics. Realizing the potential health risks and inefficiencies of recycling everything on a personal scale, I made a strategic decision: to focus on recycling the often-overlooked items that eluded industrial facilities.

Months of meticulous research followed, exploring various recycling processes, materials, and safety protocols. Although constrained by limited space, time, and resources, I drew inspiration from initiatives like Precious Plastic and 4Ocean and embarked on a journey of experimentation and refinement.

Leveraging my expertise in plastic part design, my maker's spirit, and my artistic sensibility, I achieved remarkable success in crafting unique, handcrafted recycled goods. With unwavering determination, I honed my brand identity, designed a compelling logo, envisioned a diverse product line, and established an online presence. It was in this creative crucible that Salvage Studio was born.