An Interview With SeeGlass’ Chris Shipway

What first inspired you to start transforming spirit and wine bottles into glassware, rather than seeing them as waste?

The idea really took shape during my Business Master’s. I knew I wanted to work with a waste stream from the hospitality industry, something with real environmental impact but enough volume to become a viable business.

I initially experimented with spent coffee grounds, but once I started working with glass, I was completely hooked. It’s such an incredible material, endlessly recyclable and surprisingly beautiful. I kept noticing how much care and design goes into these bottles, only for them to be discarded the moment they’re empty. It felt like the end of the story came far too soon.

Can you talk us through the process of turning a used bottle into a beautiful, practical glass?

It’s a very hands-on, considered process. We begin by removing labels, corks and additional materials before carefully cutting the bottle to size using a water-fed saw.

Each piece is then hand-polished through several stages using diamond pads until the edge is completely smooth and refined. Every glass is individually cut, polished and inspected, so no two are exactly the same.

How did your degree in Sustainable Design shape the way you approach craftsmanship and sustainability?

It shaped everything. I was introduced to circular economy thinking early on, and that mindset still underpins every decision we make at SeeGlass, from reducing waste and reusing materials to designing with longevity in mind.

I also learned that sustainability shouldn’t feel like a compromise. Thoughtful design and craftsmanship can elevate an object, giving it both purpose and beauty.

What do you enjoy most about working with locally loved brands like Tarquin’s Gin and The Greenbank Hotel?

Working with local, values-led brands has been incredibly rewarding. There’s a real sense of collaboration here in Cornwall, with businesses genuinely wanting to support one another.

What began with just a handful of candles with Tarquin’s has grown into upcycling their iconic blue bottles from all nine of their tasting rooms and transforming them into new pieces. Our work with The Greenbank has followed a similar path, creating bespoke tumblers and lighting elements that feel completely at home in the hotel.

How does it feel knowing your glassware features in Bobby’s Taste of Cornwall and in The Greenbank’s suites?

It’s incredibly rewarding, especially being part of Bobby’s Taste of Cornwall. To have our glassware featured alongside some of Cornwall’s very best food and drink producers feels like a real milestone for us as a local business.

Knowing the commissioned glasses in The Greenbank’s suites have been upcycled from the hotel’s own bottles, avoiding the need to manufacture and transport new glassware, really completes the circular story.

What challenges do you face when working with different types of bottles?

Every bottle has its own quirks, which keeps things interesting. We’ve developed custom 3D-printed tooling to help achieve consistent shapes, though more unusual forms still require experimentation.

For us, function always comes first, especially in hospitality environments where pieces need to withstand daily use, but we’re equally focused on creating something refined and elegant.

How can creative projects like this contribute to a more circular economy within Cornwall?

Cornwall is uniquely placed for this kind of approach. We have a thriving hospitality scene, which naturally creates waste, yet many of the products we use are shipped in from elsewhere. Keeping materials local just makes sense.

By collaborating with like-minded businesses, we can reduce transport, reuse what’s already here and create a more resilient local economy.

Do you have any exciting projects coming up?

We’re always looking for new ways to use the glass we rescue. We’ve recently secured a larger kiln and are experimenting with bespoke glassware and tiles made from leftover bottle sections.

We’re also investing in a glass crushing machine to turn waste glass into recycled sand for the construction industry. It’s all part of our circular philosophy — finding value in every fragment and ensuring nothing goes to waste.