In addition to natural materials, African home decor and accents may also be made of reclaimed or recycled materials. African arts often integrate reclaimed metal, reclaimed wood, or other recycled materials into innovative art forms. For example, herdsmen working on the Kahero Farm in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya, are known for their reclaimed wood carvings. Their handmade wooden bowls are created using rustic handcrafted tools, machetes, and chisels. Each is finished using broken glass bottles and sand paper, followed by a liquid paraffin dip to protect the wood. The result is a unique, eco-friendly home accent for decoration or display.
Similarly, artists working in an informal settlement just outside of Cape Town are transforming recycled tea bags into small canvases on which they create unusual pieces of art. The recycled art they create now provides economical opportunities for 125 people in South Africa.