Sharjah24 – Reuters: Seated on the sidewalk in front of her shop, 50-year-old Hanan Abbadi, weaves colourful traditional trays using electric cables.

Historically made out of straw and used to serve food on a daily basis and on happy occasions like weddings, Abbadi decided to replace straw with cables due to its availability all year round and to reduce waste.

“I started doing them using electricity cables as they are readily available, unlike wheat straw which is only available in a specific season that ends. Through upcycling we get rid of waste,” she said.

Abbadi, who was formerly a teacher, took up the craft after leaving her job and deciding to learn how to weave trays - which she always found beautiful and used to decorate her home with.

She opened a shop in the old city of Salt a year and a half ago, where she sells the trays for $14-140, depending on their size.

Abbadi also uses the shop as a base to teach other women the craft.