Trash to treasures: New purpose for old coffee pods

A woman who saves used coffee pods from the trash and turns them into jewellery, decorations and art pieces will exhibit for the first time at the Dunsborough Art Market, held as part of the Dunsborough Art Festival.

Perth upcycle designer Natalia Rodrigo collects thousands of used pods, turning them into unique art and jewellery pieces, and creating a business called Beads ‘n Pods.

She has been upcycling coffee capsules for ten years.

Natalia has been very successful, taking her work to wearable art showcases, art exhibitions in Art Galleries, Eco Fashion Week, and in Sustainable Couture as a sustainable designer.

Organiser Jacquie Happ said Natalia’s work would be a feature at a new Ecco section of the Market.

Natalia, who moved from Argentina to Australia 19 years ago, said most people were unaware of the huge impact coffee capsules have in the environment.

“They can take hundreds of years to break down in the soil, if that’s where they end up. When I realised this, it sparked an urge to find a way to give them new purpose,” Natalia said.

After seeing Natalia’s creative work, many people donate coffee pods. “People save them for me. Some have become friends as they have been saving coffee pods for me for years now. I receive so many that every few months I do a selection and send the rest onto the Nespresso Bulk Recycling Program.”

Mrs Happ said the Art Market exclusively featured hand-made work, including some by sculptors who exhibit in the Festival’s Sculpture by the Bay event.

“There will be plenty of unique products on sale at the Art market this year, with some excellent stalls registered, including some very good newcomers like Natalia taking part for the first time,” she said.

Thousands will gather on the foreshore over the March long weekend for the return of the beloved festival.

Now in its 24th year, the three-day event features 120 outdoor and indoor sculptures, markets, workshops, local eats, live entertainment, fireworks and family fun.

Organised by the Dunsborough & Districts Progress Association and sponsored by philanthropist Dianne Laurance, the community-led festival runs from Saturday 1 March to Monday 3 March.

The weekend will include two concerts featuring Beeva Feva and Dallas Radio (Sunday), Music by the Bay featuring local artists (Saturday), the Small Sculptures Prize exhibition at Christian Fletcher Gallery, a Sunday art market, the X Factor talent competition, art, drumming, dance and circus workshops, pop up exhibitions, and a spectacular fireworks display on Sunday night presented by Dianne Laurance.

For updates and info visit dunsboroughprogress.com.au