Bead the Change: Supporting Local Entrepreneurs and Sustainability Projects
Photo by Bead the Change
Bead the Change is an initiative that supports local female entrepreneurs in Ghana while promoting projects that are working towards increased social and environmental sustainability. Each color of their bracelets is associated with a specific cause that you can choose to support. With each sale of a traditionally-made glass beaded bracelet, a portion of the proceeds is donated to these projects, which is a win-win for the local economy, livelihoods and our planet!
Keep reading to find out more about Bead the Change’s mission, how they make their bracelets and how they are pushing the sustainability agenda forward with each bead made! But first, let’s discuss the importance of sustainability and supporting livelihoods.
Fundamental Principles for Supporting Livelihoods - Recycling & Sustainability
Environmentalists and scientists have raised concerns more and more in recent years about the ways that humans are using the earth’s finite resources. We also need to re-examine how our activities impact the planet and its ability to regenerate. Our challenges include surviving the effects of pollution and creating long-term solutions for dealing with unimaginable amounts of waste.
Cleaning Up the Environment & Adopting Sustainable Development
Although efforts are being taken by developed countries to reverse damage by reusing and recycling, a lot more needs to be done. While this prevention is key, we also need to tackle the waste that is already around and clogging the environment. Adaptations must also be made to develop new methods creating the items humans need with renewable resources. Simultaneously, it is critical to ensure that whatever processes are being used won’t cause further, irreversible damage to the planet.
Assisting Upcoming Entrepreneurs and Communities
Amidst designing smarter and greener strategies, efforts should be directed toward underdeveloped economies to assist upcoming entrepreneurs. Providing sustainable means of a livelihood not only raises the standard of living for poor and underprivileged people, but such corporate sustainability initiatives also ensure that these activities do not contribute to further environmental damage.
One growing and effective strategy involves providing a broader market for traditional handicrafts and smaller industries that have incorporated renewable raw materials. The goods produced have global appeal and demand.
Programs for Conservation and Sustainability
Side by side, programs designed to provide drinking water, promote reforestation, and produce nutritious, wholesome food are also needed. Conservation efforts to minimize the dependence on wildlife habitats and prevent poaching activities are crucial for preserving endangered species. Breaking supply chains and eliminating, for instance, the demand for ivory and rhino horns by banning trade has become absolutely essential to safeguard the earth and its non-human inhabitants.
However, it is imperative to understand that environmental protection initiatives, conservation efforts, and recycling drives must have adequate economic benefits to make sense to the people directly affected by the programs. With so much work to be done, it pays to be thoughtful about each tactic.
Bead the Change Program
A good example that combines both recycling and support for small communities is the Bead the Change program instituted by Ryan Roller in 2015. Beadmaking in Ghana is a traditional cottage industry that uses glass bottles as raw material to make beautiful pellets. Ghanian women use these beads to make bracelets, each of which turns human leftovers into something positive and beautiful. The proceeds from the sales of these bracelets provide a valuable source of income for their makers, strengthening their community’s economic stability.
Bead Making Processes Using Sustainable Materials
Making beads is an intricate process that starts with sorting glass bottles according to their types and colors. Next, the women crush the glass by hand using a mortar and pestle, carefully reducing the glass into a fine powder. Sifting the powder ensures that only the most refined grains go into the final production. The beads get their brilliant colors from organic ceramic dyes that are added to clearer glasses at the next stage.
The women use termite clay molds coated with kaolin to convert the glass into beaded shapes. Kaolin is a natural substance that has the texture of talc and prevents the mix from sticking to the sides of the mold. Termite clay kilns heated between 650 and 800 degrees are used to fire the glass and make the finished glass beads. Every stage of the production process uses only sustainable and recycled materials. There is minimal reliance on electricity since the entire process is done by hand.
Turning Profits into Community Empowerment and a Cleaner Earth
Bracelets made through Bead the Change are shipped across the world. While most of the proceeds are returned to the artisans who make the bracelets, around 10% of each article’s price is donated toward other environmental initiatives.
The bracelets are available in five colors, each reflecting the particular drive it supports:
For instance, amber yellow beads are dedicated to fighting climate change.
Light blue ocean cleanup bracelets contribute to an organization that removes and recycles plastics from the seas.
Customers purchasing dark blue bracelets contribute toward providing clean drinking water.
Green bracelets support reforestation, planting trees to replenish over-harvested areas.
The red bracelets signify support for wildlife conservation, including endangered rhinos and elephants.
Recycling, reusing, and reducing the amount of waste in our lives, and cleaning up the environment while providing livelihoods for underdeveloped and developing economies are different aspects essential for building a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
Interested in offering sustainable retail products like these to guests? Get in touch.