“With a little heat and good will, the sachet can be given a second chance,” he told TN Goga Doderofounder of the sachetera. This idea is what is behind the solidarity campaign #TheOtherColdin which inmates of the San Martín prison will manufacture thousands of insulating blankets to shelter people in street situations during the winter.
Dodero, a costume designer by profession, discovered the value of humble plastic sachets a decade ago when a friend gave her a purse made with these reused materials. “I began to see the qualities of the sachet and I thought that blankets could be made for people on the street,” he explained.
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Regarding the product they generate, he indicated that it covers basic needs: “It is like a windbreaker, it insulates against humidity and cold”.
Dodero said that being hermetically sealed, the insulators can last for years, although when used in the street their useful life is shorter. “But the good thing is that polyethylene is 100% reusableit can be recycled later”, said the “sachetera”.
The manufacturing process of the insulating blankets is very simple, he explained. Just cut, clean and dry the sachets and then stick them in long strips with a small hand sealer. “To make a double insulation of 1.80mx1.80m, about 200 sachets are needed“, accurate.
This is how #ElOtroCrío was born
Dodero said that two years ago, in the midst of a pandemic, they were contacted by the Argentine Advertising Council to offer them to work with the Spartans Foundationan organization that seeks to lower the rate of criminal recidivism, promoting the integration, socialization and accompaniment of people deprived of their liberty through rugby, education, work and spirituality.
According to what they were told, due to the pandemic, the inmates “were without any activity and very eager to help.”
The “sacheteras” sent video tutorials so that the “Spartans” and the “Spartans” learn the technique. Several companies donated sealers and collected sachets and soon production began.
In the first edition, in 2020, the inmates of three pavilions manufactured some 1,600 insulators. Last year, 462,000 empty sachets were collected, which were used to make 2,000 insulating protectors and “the objective this year is to continue improving”.
Once finished, the insulators are then delivered to the Caminos Solidarios Argentina and Amigos en el Camino associations, which distribute them on their nightly rounds, along with hot plates of food and hygiene items. “There is a lot of need in the street to receive these insulators,” said Dodero.
Mariela FumaroleFounder and volunteer of Caminos Solidarios Argentina, commented: “This collaborative action leads us to visualize a painful reality and it allows us to help by protecting our friends who are in a vulnerable situation, with insulating protectors to protect them from the rain, the cold and the wind.”
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This year, several companies also donated sewing machines so that the inmates can create more elaborate products with the sachets. “The idea is to train them so that after the campaign they can manufacture ponchitos for rural school students Y develop a trade to be able to live from a decent job when open doors return to life,” said Dodero. A second chance, not only for the sachet, but also for those who work with them.
How does #ElOtroCrio work?
- From June 6 to July 6, all those who want to be part of the campaign can deposit their empty and clean sachets of milk or yogurt in one of the ballot boxes located in the points adhered in CABA and GBA.
- Before taking them to the polls, it is necessary to cut the sachets at the edges, open them, wash them with detergent and, finally, let them dry.
- After the collection, the ballot boxes will be taken to the San Martín Prison, where members of the Spartans will turn them into insulating blankets.
- Finally, Caminos Solidarios Argentina, Amigos en el Camino and its network of volunteers, will distribute the insulating protectors to homeless people in CABA and GBA. The “EXpartanos” will also be part of the distribution team, members of the Spartans and Spartans team who have already been released.
How to prepare the milk and yogurt sachets for the campaign?
How to prepare milk and yogurt sachets for the #ElOtroFrío campaign.