A single glass bottle lay half-buried in the golden sands of Takamaka beach, its label weathered by the sun, salt, and waves. For most passersby, it was nothing more than litter, another piece of trash to ignore. But for Mrs. Dörte Stuebs and Mr. Horst-Herbert Stuebs, this bottle told a story of carelessness and, more importantly, possibility. It became the spark for an idea that would transform not only discarded glass but also how their community perceives waste.
The German couple first visited Seychelles in 1987 and fell in love with the islands’ lush landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant wildlife. In 2018, they made the islands their home, settling in Anse Marie-Louise. While they run Stuebs Enterprise, a thriving coffee wholesale business, their passion for music, dancing, and dogs has been matched by a growing commitment to environmental stewardship.
During a routine beach-cleaning activity, the couple was confronted with a troubling reality: countless glass bottles were scattered across the sand. Most of these bottles would eventually end up in landfills or, worse, in the ocean, posing long-term risks to ecosystems. Broken glass can injure animals, and chemicals leaching from labels and residues can contaminate soil and water. Glass itself is stubbornly persistent; it can take up to one million years to decompose. “We realised that cleaning the beaches was just treating the symptom,” Dörte explained. “We needed to address the root of the problem: how to make glass waste valuable again.”
Their solution was simple yet brilliant. Rather than viewing the bottles as trash, the Stuebs saw potential. They decided to upcycle discarded glass into functional and beautiful drinking glasses. “We looked at the bottles as half-full rather than half-empty,” Horst-Herbert said. Each bottle undergoes a meticulous transformation: it is cleaned, carefully marked, and cut using diamond tools and hot flames. The edges are ground, smoothed by hand with sandpaper, and polished to create sparkling, reusable glasses that combine elegance with sustainability.
Since 2020, the Stuebs have collaborated with local communities, restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, and the Takamaka Distillery to collect thousands of empty rum bottles. These bottles are reborn as coffee and espresso glasses, tumblers, long drink glasses, shot glasses, snack bowls, and even flower vases. Their work demonstrates that functional art and environmental responsibility can coexist, inspiring locals and tourists alike to rethink what they consider waste.
The initiative quickly gained attention. A friend’s order of 200 glasses for a wedding confirmed that this eco-friendly project could be viable as a business, yet the Stuebs emphasise that environmental impact is their primary goal. By recycling bottles, they reduce landfill waste, prevent environmental hazards, and foster a culture of sustainability in their community. “Glass is too valuable to throw away,” Dörte said. “By giving it a second life, we not only protect the environment but also show that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
The dangers of discarded glass are often underestimated. Wildlife can be cut by sharp fragments, and chemicals from decaying bottles can enter waterways, affecting entire ecosystems. By upcycling these bottles, the Stuebs are actively preserving Seychelles’ natural beauty and sending a clear message: waste is not merely trash, it is a resource waiting to be reimagined.
Their work also has a deeply human dimension. Locals are involved in collecting bottles, spreading awareness, and celebrating the finished products. It transforms a simple act, cleaning a beach, into a collaborative effort that benefits the environment and the community. Each glass they create is a tangible reminder of what can be achieved when creativity meets purpose.
The Stuebs’ story is a call to action. Each recycled bottle represents a step toward a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Seychelles. It challenges us to see opportunity in what we normally discard, to think creatively about everyday materials, and to take personal responsibility for our environment. By turning trash into treasure, Mrs. Dörte and Mr. Horst-Herbert Stuebs have shown that even small, thoughtful actions can create meaningful change, protecting the islands they love for generations to come.
As a lone bottle shining in the sand, it is no longer just litter; it is a symbol of possibility, innovation, and hope for a sustainable future.
