Vancouver’s Mosa Upcycles Glass Bottles into Chic and Sustainable Products

Glass is an under-recycled material that one Vancouver-based startup is up-cycling toward a most sustainable economy.

Mosa Technologies founders Prishita Agarwal and Abhiudai Mishra hosted gatherings often, resulting in “countless empty glass bottles scattered on our kitchen counter and dining table.”

“It saddened us thinking that these beautiful bottles would end up in trash,” they said, especially of broken glass, which is less likely to be recycled.

Originally known as Rescued Glass YVR, the student-made eco-startup gathered, washed, cut, sanded, and polished bottles into functional household products that they then began to sell online.

“It started off rough but with practice, we started to produce beautiful, sleek products that felt sustainable and natural to use,” the founders say. “Glasses, platters, candles, vases—we slowly expanded our horizons.”

CEO Agarwal won last year’s “Women of The Year” award by BCBusiness.

“Building on community and advocating for the importance of upcycling, we are more than just a product, we’re a lifestyle,” she says.

The inventive Mishra meanwhile manages the company’s “micro-factory,” which now efficiency recycles glassware.

So far, their startup Mosa has collected nearly 9,000 bottles in and around the Vancouver area. Of these, almost 8,000 have been upcycled—a conversion rate of 92%.

Funds from sales “go back into creating more efficient and [sustainable] processes, thereby creating a circular economy,” the company states online.

Mosa also offers customizable bulk orders targeting retailers, wineries, and events.

“When people see Mosa’s signature candles or glasses on the shelves of your store, or at your event, they think sustainability,” the commerce startup claims. “A partnership with Mosa can quickly signal to your customers your commitment to environmental responsibility.”

In collaboration with the City and VEC, Mosa is one of nine BC-oriented companies selected to pilot technology at a new “Zero Waste Demonstration Site”—an initiative for commercializing eco-tech as well as an opportunity to connect with potential investors, partners, and clients.