Sustainability is lifestyle: get to know Casa de Sal, in Pernambuco

Credit: Disclosure

By: Eduarda Nunes – Lupa do Bem / Favela em Pauta

Casa de Sal (Salt House), located in Praia do Sossego, on Itamaracá Island, in Pernambuco, was created by Edna and Maria Gabrielly Dantas. The space is the first house built with vertical glass bottles in the world and reflects various social and environmental impact issues that cross our country.

Brazil is a populous country, with continental dimensions and abundant natural resources, but it still does not understand very well how to deal with the solid waste it produces. Even with the efforts, dialogue with society and companies about consumption and disposal, the country still leaves something to be desired. It was in this perspective that Edna Dantas and Maria Gabrielly Dantas, natives of the state of Paraná, build and influence paths for possible resolutions to these issues.

A descendant of Northeasterners, Edna comes from a very humble family and the act of reusing and recycling objects and materials was a common practice since her childhood and youth. In 2002, she started to work more directly with recycling as a social articulator for cooperatives in Curitiba. She worked until 2010 paving the way for the institutional strengthening of these initiatives in Curitiba.

In 2014, he opened his thrift store and brought his daughter, Maria Gabrielly, even closer to the world of recycling and reuse, now more focused on fashion. From Cabrochas Brechó, Edna supported her family and, directly and indirectly, influenced Gabrielly to attend Fashion College and, thus, further professionalize the family business.

The daughter says that they prospect any and all sales opportunities, from the simplest to the most unusual; “We even went to the front of the prison – both for the women who were going to visit and who weren’t wearing the right clothes, and even if they wanted to give something as a gift inside”.

From Curitiba to the Island of Itamaracá – having sustainability as a path

With the aim of getting to know the land where their parents and grandparents came from, and with the delicate socio-political scenario of Curitiba at a time that left them in a certain vulnerability, Edna and Gabrielly decided to come to Pernambuco and brought their luggage of work and performance in the field of sustainability for Itamaracá Island in 2018.

Continuing with Cabrochas, but, due to the pandemic and feeling even more the need to establish their residence in Praia do Sossego, on the north coast of the state, they began to build what is now the first house built with glass bottles in foot (vertically) of the world. “Our idea, both to impact our lives and the lives of people, was to build an ecological house”, says Gabi. All the material that raised the Casa de Sal (Salt House) was collected at the place where they live.

The fashion designer says that when they arrived here, they were surprised to find “a very beautiful beach setting and a public disregard for the disposal of waste, lack of care and environmental preservation”.

Before the pandemic, mother and daughter created a project that transformed irregular garbage points into ecological gardens. About 20 people were involved in the idea, which took place once a month. Among the waste found, glass bottles stood out in quantity. Currently, Casa de Sal  (Salt House) has 07 rooms and about 7,500 glass bottles being used. The roof, window and other structural points of the house were donated or recycled.

It is there that Cabrochas Brechó found its fixed point of sale, but which circulates throughout the metropolitan region of Recife from the articulations and wanderings of Edna and Gabrielly Dantas. In addition, Casa de Sal (Salt House) also offers camping, accommodation and food for those who want to enjoy the quiet beach for a few days.

Casa de Sal (Salt House) as a structure for more

Recently, with the support of the Aldir Blanc Pernambuco Law in the call for training and research, Edna and Gabrielly carried out the project Retalhos de Itamaracá – Creation and Training in Sustainable Fashion.

The training took place for two weeks with young people and teenagers living in Praia do Sossego.

“The impact has been very positive, especially among the youngest, aged 18, 17, 16 years old”, says Gabrielly. “There were many talents discovered and we rescued many memories of those who make it or those who have family members who make crafts and art during their lives”, says the designer.

How to accompany and support Casa de Sal

The main objective of this and the other projects developed by Edna and Gabrielly is to stimulate autonomy, artistic expression, creative capacity, belonging and self-esteem of the residents of Praia do Sossego and other peripheries who face different social vulnerabilities every day.

Continuing the mother and daughter’s activities in the area are the EcoLixeiras, a project being coordinated by Edna and which will install at least 5 garbage disposal points in Praia do Sossego.

To support, contact the social media of the projects.