Waste Not: Interview with Alvaro Catalán de Ocón

Temperate Chimbarongo is known, colloquially, as the “wicker capital” of Chile. Everywhere you go, you might find bundles of natural fiber, ready to be woven into mimbre baskets or intricate wickerwork; women and men alike sit in small shops from sunrise to sunset, shaping the durable strands. This craft-dominant commune, and many other like it across the world, is a source of inspiration and collaboration for Alvaro Catalán de Ocón, award-winning founder of the PET lamp project and an environmental activist dedicated to pairing small communities with eco-friendly design.