INTERVIEW: XAQUIXE GLASS INNOVATION STUDIO, PIONEERS IN SUSTAINABLE GLASS by María Eugenia Díaz de Vivar Xaquixe Glass Innovation Studio works in a 380-square-meter space that, for 18 years, has been performing glass recycling techniques and renewable energy in Oaxaca, Mexico. The studio uses processes based on sustainability for the benefit of the ecosystem. Today, it is the only factory in the world that uses 95% recycled glass and 95% reused cooking oil. In addition, Xaquixe provides jobs to communities, selling unique pieces in shape and color, reflecting the culture of Oaxaca. We were able to chat with Salime Harp Cruces, founding partner of Xaquixe Studio, along with Christian Thornton. An engineer by profession, she has built a great team with her partner, an expert recycling artist who deals with technology. In addition to collaborating with the planet, they create culture, art, and employment from reused and recycled materials through the collection of glass bottles and burnt oil from restaurants and hotels in Oaxaca and its surroundings. Innovation and passion are two words that define this duo. They place great importance on reducing harmful materials for the environment with a very specific action: reuse everyday materials with amazing results.
cause in Maho Bay (USVI) when we met. His objective was to transform the waste glass from beer bottles and other containers into souvenirs and decorative pieces that would be sold back to the same tourists that consumed them. MEDV: How did you decide on making glass from recycled bottles? SHC: My concern comes from my childhood; even then I was struck by the mismanagement of waste in my city (Oaxaca). As years went by, my interest in this grew. I did my graduate studies in glass production and learned that it takes less energy to melt waste glass than raw materials. Furthermore, when melted, 40% of the raw material mass is lost. Christian Thornton was the one who
designed all the furnaces and equipment that we use at Xaquixe for blown, fused, cast, and flameworked glass pieces. This equipment has been in operation for 20 years! At Xaquixe, he developed the concept of "formulated glass" which consists of 95% waste glass and 5% raw materials, which achieves an similar first-batched appearance by restoring shine and transparency, but also makes it compatible to use with color. We currently use Reichenbach brand colors, but have also used Zimmerman and Gaffer. While we have faced many challenges from the beginning, today this glass has a quality and resistance that allows Xaquixe to produce articles for tableware and architectural works in glass. (Left) The great team of Xaquixe is ready for work Photo Credit: Xaquixe Glass Innovation Studio
María Eugenia Díaz de Vivar: How did you start working together? Salime Harp Cruces: Christian (Thornton) was my teacher at UrbanGlass (Brooklyn, NY). I had the idea for a project of creating a recycled glass workshop in the city of Oaxaca. When I told him about it in class, I was glad to hear that he was interested in my proposal. Christian already had experience with recycling and we began to see that our projects were converging. Recycling glass is helping to reduce the burden on the environment, and this is where Christian and I found a common mission. He was already supporting this
18
(Left) Christian Thornton and Salime Harp Cruces working on a commission for the artist Nicola Lopez (NYC). Photo Credit: Xaquixe Glass Innovation Studio
GASNEWS
FALL 2020
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 4
