"Reuse with Purpose" Program by CATIE Showcased at U.S. Airport

• This is the aircraft leather recycling project carried out by women in Turrialba.

A sample of the "Reuse with Purpose" program by Southwest Airlines, of which CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) is a partner, has a prominent presence in the "Creatively Reused: Recycled Art and Design" exhibition inaugurated at Denver International Airport (DEN), United States.

The "Creatively Reused" exhibition brings together designers, artists, and organizations that promote sustainable practices, transforming waste into art, fashion, and functional objects. The materials vary from recycled plastics to reused textiles, demonstrating how imagination can turn waste into extraordinary creations.

The "Reuse with Purpose" project focuses on training women and men from rural communities to transform discarded materials into useful and artistic products. Southwest Airlines provides retired leather from their aircraft seats, allowing participants to learn to work with leather and establish their own businesses while preventing waste from reaching landfills.

Carlos Umaña, Yamileth Benavides, and the social enterprise WEARSOS showcase their works in this prestigious exhibit, an achievement that not only highlights Costa Rican talent but also positions CATIE and its sustainability efforts on an international stage.

Eliecer Vargas, Coordinator of the Sustainable Tourism Unit and the "Reuse with Purpose" program, expressed his enthusiasm: "Our mission has always been to train people and support them in creating marketable products. Thanks to the creativity of our people in Turrialba, we are now also producing art. Seeing the CATIE logo in such a busy place as Denver Airport until October is a great achievement."

Art and Recycling

Carlos Umaña, one of the participating artists, shared his experience of developing in the world of leather and how satisfying it has been for his life. For 40 years, he had his clothing workshop in Turrialba, and one day he decided to close its doors to discover a new world.

"A year ago, I was invited to work with leather, something completely new to me. As a fashion designer, it was a significant change, but very rewarding. Seeing one of my pieces exhibited in the United States is a dream. This project has not only allowed me to explore new techniques but also to contribute to recycling, a topic I am deeply passionate about."

Turrialba Present with Sustainable Fashion

WEARSOS, another partner in Turrialba of Southwest Airlines, is also part of this exhibition, sharing a stand with CATIE. It is a social enterprise whose mission is to provide employment and spaces for empowerment and personal growth to women in Turrialba through the production of items made from reused materials. Since 2019, WEARSOS has transformed discarded materials into high-quality, hand-painted fashion products that promote sustainability and community empowerment.

“Participating in the Denver Airport Exhibition has been a fantastic opportunity for WEARSOS. We are proud to be able to position Costa Rica in international markets through products that highlight the beauty and talent of our country, alongside other projects, and thus contribute to greater awareness of sustainable fashion and social entrepreneurship,” said Christian Riquelme.

The "Creatively Reused: Recycled Art and Design" exhibition will be open until October 2024 and is distributed in various locations throughout the airport, including Ansbacher Hall and several spots such as the east and west baggage claims.

Visitors can admire the diversity of media and techniques used to give new life to materials that were once considered waste, inspiring others to see the value in what would otherwise have become trash.

With this initiative, Denver International Airport not only demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through its art program but also celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of artists and organizations worldwide, including Costa Rican artists with the valuable contribution of CATIE.