The Recycled Paper Handicrafts in Yogyakarta

For many people old papers and magazines have little value - indeed, are nothing but garbage. But as one small Yogyakarta-based enterprise is showing, waste paper can be turned into a variety of environmentally friendly, artistic, functional handicrafts such as baskets, coasters, tissue boxes, photo frames and mirror frames.

The handicrafts are colorful and distinctive, especially as the recycled paper originally had writing printed on it. To make them more attractive, green leaves, from a plant called daun kupu-kupu (Bauhinia tomentosa) and the mahoni (Swietenia macrophylla) tree, are glued on the outside.

The crafts are made by hand . And they certainly have no problems sourcing materials, because everyday Yogyakarta produces dozens or even hundreds of tons of used papers and magazines. Price start from Rp 1,000 (less than 10 US cents) for a coaster. Candleholders and tissue boxes cost between Rp 20,000 and Rp 40,000 each, while the baskets carry a price tag of between Rp 15,000 and Rp 150,000.

The designs of their handicrafts are updated from time to time to meet the market demand. To survive the global crisis, they are exploring new ideas while maintaining its environmentally friendly principles and focusing on the use of waste.Among their new products are curtains made from palm leaves. They also receive orders to make souvenirs for wedding parties and other special occasions.