Not everything that glitters is gold but for three sisters, they saw the beauty in recycling materials and crafted beautiful jewelry pieces as a business.

26 year old Telefina Karoline Sio is one the three sisters who created the online business, Eco Artisan during the Covid lockdown as a means to earn money during the time and they still continue to do so.

“There were no jobs during that time and we wanted to make use of our time by looking for a (side) income. We were big fans of earrings and our dad owns a recycling company and that’s how we based it around recycling,” said Telefina.

Pacific Recycle is a family business based out in Tafaigata that has instilled into Telefina and her sisters the importance of looking after the environment and contributing in every way they can to ease the effects of waste production in Samoa.

According to Telefina, the original idea was brought up by their eldest sister Narelle Toia to start with creating earrings. Telefina and their youngest sister, Ramona Sio were the hands and feet that executed the idea.

Much of their earring pieces are made from clay and they are designed and handmade at home.

A lot of the waste in Samoa is from imported products and there is no place that can recycle these waste products.

“A lot of the time it ends up either in our lands or in our ocean and for us that was one of our main drives, going with an eco-friendly product for a business idea. Even with our family business, a lot of the stuff that we collect all ends up being sent overseas,” she said.

“We try to make our products affordable for everyone ranging from as low as $10 to $35 and these are for the big pieces.

“We are trying to branch out in making furniture using problematic waste like tires and it is something we are hoping to continue. We have done a few samples but cost wise it’s not realistic.” 

She said with their products, they hope people can be more cautious with the products they buy and think about what will happen to it after it is used.

“There is always some way you can reuse a product or material before it ends up in your rubbish or you can always take it to the recycling center at Tafaigata.” Said Telefina