Startup trains women in rural costa rica to upcycle airline seats into leather goods
The startup Wearsos is enabling waste prevention and providing job opportunities for women in rural Costa Rica by upcycling old airline seats into high-end leather products. The initiative, led by Lynne Corvaglia, a University of Toronto Scarborough graduate, was supported by Southwest Airlines' donation of replaced leather seat covers. Corvaglia's vision is to use upcycling as a tool to create local economic opportunities and reduce waste, with Wearsos incorporating other sustainable materials into its products. The ultimate goal of this project was to combine sustainability with social impact to create real jobs and opportunities for women. Around 60 women have participated in the program so far. The job not only teaches technical skills but also fosters personal and professional growth, providing economic stability and training for future financial independence and knowledge. Despite challenges during the pandemic, the company is now registered in Canada and Costa Rica and is preparing to launch a crowdfunding campaign to fund its first year of production.
