Video: Fifth Grader Turns Old Glass Into Booming Business
Eleven-year-old Kennedi Kokesch and her mother Nancy were strolling through a local glass store in southern Minnesota when Kennedi learned that the unsold knick-knacks were eventually diverted to landfills.
The fifth grader was outraged and gathered as much glass as she could carry out of the store, determined to find a way to put it to good use. When her mother asked what they were going to do with the “junk,” Kennedi replied, “If nothing else, we’re going to recycle it.”
But Kennedi found a way to reuse the old glass and put a little money in her pocket. She turned the old glass into original, colorful birdfeeders. Kennedi became the CEO of her new industry, Kenko Company. Nancy, who owns a gift shop in New Ulm, Minn., decided to put out some of her daughter’s creations “just for fun.” The response was tremendous: In the first week, Nancy sold 14 birdfeeders.
The birdfeeders can be mounted on a pole or hung from a tree. Nancy tells KSTP TV Minneapolis that her house is full of glass, set out in piles underneath the furniture, and Kennedi already has a design plan for each piece. Kennedi and Nancy, her only employee, can barely keep up with the demand of the eco-friendly creations.
Her creations are now sold in several stores throughout Minnesota, including Bachman’s and The Mall of America. Last year, Kennedi sold more than 1,000 birdfeeders at an average price of $14 under the motto: “Helping nature one glass at a time.”
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Shelly
posted on May 7th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Im not too sure if I would call this recycling. I understand this is unsold glass at a thrift store she is getting the glass from, but I would consider this recycling IF she would focus more on the glass that is being thrown away rather than sold. Sorry, Im a tree hugger and I love her idea and all but I would love to see her getting the glass already out there in the world (in the trash).
Just an IDEA!
Great job :)
Anne
posted on May 11th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Great Idea Little Lady,
I am an avid bird feeder and recycler. Hats off to you and your Mom.
Polly
posted on May 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Diverting the glass from a landfill is definately recycling. Great Job Kiddo!
Debbi S. in Texas
posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 am
and why aren’t the stores taking their unsold glass, etc., to recyclers? shame on them………
Nancy
posted on July 27th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hi, this is Kennedi’s mom. I am very proud of her and wanted everyone to know that she does use mostly old glass that is being tossed out. She only buys from thrift stores or garage sales the colored items she needs. Most of the glass is given to her from various sources. Just the other day a lady called that had just finished her garage sale and had a box of odd glass left over, rather then throwing it, Kennedi took it. Kennedi is always looking for people or organizations that are “dumping” glass. Our own church had a thrift shop during our summer festival. EVERYTHING that is left after the day is over gets thrown into large dumpsters. Kennedi asked our church board if she could have every piece of glass left. She not only took the glass items, but also the plastic and metal items. This girl really want to make a difference in the world!
G
posted on September 2nd, 2009 at 6:59 pm
This isn’t recycling, it’s reusing, a much better model. If anything, this is upcycling and keeping the material in the same cycle it started it’s ‘life’ in. Keep it up guys!