Ana Cristina Quiñones dreams of a world where waste becomes the main raw material for most industries.
Aware of the environmental impact, the industrial designer has set out to develop products based on all types of waste.
"In Puerto Rico, only a low percentage of waste is recycled. The rest goes to landfills, and recycling only goes up to a certain point and to certain materials. Our mission is to see how we can present viable alternatives and options," explained Ana Cristina.
Materia Madura began as a concept in 2012 in response to global and local waste problems, as well as the inefficiency of recycling.
At its workshop in the heart of Río Piedras, the team develops a wide variety of materials and functional products such as tabletops, bars, furniture and wall slabs for both commercial and home spaces.
The company's name comes from two words that, for Ana Cristina, genuinely represent the brand:
"We focus on designing sustainable materials, using, for example, coffee waste, banana peels, bread, wood chips, metals and glass. We can really transform everything that is discarded into raw materials"
-- said Ana Cristina
Their products are proof that sustainability has a place in design and in our daily lives because they are crafted for functionality. Their distinctive hues pay homage to the waste that gave them a second chance.
Being an entrepreneur means constantly facing challenges and obstacles, and natural events such as hurricanes and pandemics present additional hurdles. But the greatest challenge Ana Cristina and her team have undertaken is to change the way we think about waste.
"It is difficult to understand the problems we face as a society in Puerto Rico. We visualize ourselves as an innovative company, but also with an educational component. Through our designs we promote more responsible and conscious sustainability practices that benefit everybody," said Ana Cristina.
For Materia Madura, waste is a resource, and it is important that they continue to expand their positive impact on communities and the environment.
This impact is due partly to their relationship with Popular. The entrepreneur considers Popular her first choice in commercial banking, which has presented her with the resources that have made possible her business' progress.
This includes plans for growth, both in terms of staff training and facilities to expand their manufacturing capabilities. Currently, Materia Madura has a team of four people, but one of Ana Cristina's short-term goals is to grow her work team.
The designer dreams of more industries taking advantage of waste as a functional raw material. This inspiring vision would generate an immense positive impact on the environment and on the economic development of Puerto Rico. This is why Materia Madura is an entity of progress.
As part of our 130th anniversary celebrations, we present the Stories of Progress, which are portraits of commercial customers that show how Popular puts people at the center of progress.
