How Our Shotgun Shell Recycling Initiative is Changing Lives in Córdoba.
At The Kautapen Group, our commitment goes beyond providing exceptional hunting and fishing experiences. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and the communities where we operate. One of our latest initiatives was a collaboration with Qualia Eyewear that perfectly embodies our commitment on giving back: recycling used shotgun shells to create eyeglasses for children in need in Cruz del Eje, Cordoba.
Focus on Córdoba
Last year, Fran Mariani and Gisela Cristini from The Kautapen Group, along with a team of ophthalmologists from the Institute of High Ophthalmological Complexity (IACO) embarked on a journey to the heart of Córdoba. They traveled to the dining rooms of the Mission Esperanza Foundation, where they addressed the urgent vision care needs of underprivileged children. Over the course of the campaign, 355 children received thorough eye examinations and personalized prescriptions from eyecare professionals, to help improve their vision and quality of life. The study revealed that 45% of the children needed prescription glasses, which were provided to them, enabling them to study and develop properly. We were able to provide eye care services thanks to the assistance of four dedicated volunteer doctors, whose expenses were covered by The Kautapen Group (TKG).
Innovative Recycling
We collected thousands of used shotgun shells from our dove hunts, transforming what was once waste into a valuable resource for creating eyeglasses. The sturdy plastic from these shells was repurposed, melted down, and reshaped into customized eyeglasses. 162 children received eyeglasses and they were able to choose from twelve different frame styles that were created. We directly contributed to enhancing the health and quality of life for these children, creating a lasting impact. The recycling also paves the way for future projects with cartridge plastic and brass. This initiative is funded with our own resources with the idea of making it sustainable and much larger over time. Additionally, we developed our own line of eyewear, in collaboration with Qualia Eyewear (high quality and with polarized lenses), which will be available at our lodges so that our clients can also take part of this initiative that has a great impact on local communities.
Looking Ahead
This initiative, which began at the end of 2023, is the first of many we plan to undertake. We are continuously evolving and considering additional steps, such as involving local communities to work in the process of separating the brass from the plastic in the shotgun shells. Furthermore, we aim to expand these actions to our fly fishing operations to increase the impact of our initiatives.
Continuing the Journey
We believe that our journey is just beginning. We invite you, our clients and partners, to join us in this journey. By embracing sustainable practices and supporting community initiatives, we can collectively create a better, more responsible future.
