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Founder of Old Tin Can Ltd. Melissa Hartzel set up her unique business Old Tin Can Ltd after living in Cape Town, South Africa for two years. Whilst living there, on a visit to Langa Township on the Western Cape, she came across a local man hand making the most amazing creations from old tin drink cans.
"He was making handbags and baseball caps out of something that most people just throw away; it really did give new meaning to the word recycling! I soon became aware of the amazing talents that many men and women living in the shanty townships possessed. Many were un-educated but had realised their natural skills in order to make a living. I was truly amazed by this man's skill and resourcefulness. He told me how he had trained many of his friends and neighbours in the skill of creating crafts from old tin cans and that they were selling these items in order to make their living. I was then introduced to another local artist who was transforming disused number plates and redundant old records into designer handbags. Never before had I seen unwanted rubbish being used in this way and I really felt that their talents were being wasted by the few sales they were able to make from the sides of the roads." Melissa was inspired and was instantly compelled to help them share their amazing work with the rest of the world, and hence Old Tin Can Ltd. was born.
Melissa quickly set up a company and had a website built; her mission was to be able to sell their wares to a much wider audience, and now two years later she has sold over 500 of their items. "It gives me the most amazing feeling when I sell their creations as I know that each sale I make helps keep these craft workers in employment" she says.
Melissa knew she would run her company following Fair Trade Standards but also wanted her company to make charitable donations to a relevant cause. She soon came across an exciting craft school in Johannesburg to donate 10% of her profits to; it is called OUT OF THE BOX. It is a non profit organisation which trains disadvantaged and unemployed young South Africans a craft trade, it provides them with the tools needed to help them become self sufficient and have access to employment opportunities. Melissa recently made a contribution to the craft school; their gratitude overwhelmed her and made her even more determined for Old Tin Can to continue to grow.
Recent sales include a prominent London businessman buying 200 items to give to his guests at his private party, the UK Wildlife Trusts Charity bought products for an eco educational programme they ran, I have sold to various UK local councils as well as to customers in America, Switzerland, Israel and in the UK from the top of Scotland to the south of England, N. Ireland and Wales in between!
Melissa moved back to the UK in 2005. "I am happy to be back home and am enjoying working hard to ensure that Old Tin can is able to continue to sell the amazing products I came across in South Africa".
Old Tin Can Ltd. supports
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