Recycled Bomb Chopsticks – Handmade in Laos from Reclaimed Aluminum
- Price
- $61
These handcrafted chopsticks carry a story worth telling. Made from recycled aluminum bomb parts by artisans in Ban Naphia, Laos, they transform one of history's darkest legacies into something you can use at your table every day. A genuinely meaningful gift — and a conversation starter like no other.
✨ Features
- ♻️ Material: Recycled aluminum sourced from bomb parts and airplane scrap dropped over Laos during the Secret War (1960s)
- 📏 Dimensions: 8.25" long — a comfortable, standard chopstick length
- 🤲 Handmade in Laos: Crafted by artisan families in Ban Naphia, Xieng Khuang Province
- 🎨 One of a kind: Slight natural variations in each pair — a mark of authentic handcraft, not a flaw
- 🧼 Care: Hand wash only
💚 Benefits
- 🕊️ A purchase with purpose: Every pair supports artisan families in a community rebuilding after decades of conflict
- 🌍 Sustainably made: Reclaimed war scrap is given a new life, keeping metal out of the ground and into your home
- 🎁 A gift that means something: Whether for a housewarming, birthday, or just because — these chopsticks open up a story that goes far beyond the dinner table
- 🍜 Practical and durable: Solid aluminum construction that holds up to everyday use
🏺 The Story Behind the Chopsticks
Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in the world. Between 1963 and 1973, US forces dropped a planeload of cluster bombs every eight minutes for nine consecutive years. In the aftermath, villagers began collecting aluminum from exploded ordnance and melting it down to make spoons — a quiet, powerful act of resilience.
That tradition grew. Today, around 13 families in Ban Naphia produce over 150,000 pieces a year from reclaimed aluminum, including spoons, bracelets, earrings, and these chopsticks. The artisans are trained by Helvetas, a Swiss NGO, on safe handling, smelting, and cleaning of the metal before it's worked by hand.
It's worth knowing that roughly 30% of the bombs dropped on Laos never exploded. Unexploded ordnance still poses real dangers to rural communities today. Buying these chopsticks is a small but direct way to support the people living with that reality — and to honour the ingenuity that turned remnants of war into emblems of peace.
📦 Product Specifications
- Material: Recycled aluminum (bomb parts and war scrap)
- Length: 8.25"
- Origin: Handmade in Ban Naphia, Xieng Khuang Province, Laos
- Care: Hand wash only
- Note: As with all handcrafted goods, slight variations between pairs are natural and expected
Add these recycled bomb chopsticks to your cart today — and bring a little piece of history, hope, and handcraft to your table.
Why Closiist?
- Sustainability: Clozist is committed to eco-friendly practices. We offer a wide range of sustainable and upcycled products, reducing your environmental impact.
- Supporting Local Businesses: By shopping at Clozist, you're supporting US-based businesses and contributing to local economies.
- Unique and High-Quality Products: Clozist curates a collection of unique and high-quality products, often from smaller brands that you might not find elsewhere.
- Ethical Sourcing: Clozist prioritizes ethical sourcing and fair trade practices.
- Convenience: With free shipping on orders over $49 for members of our Reward Program, it's easy to shop online and have your products delivered to your doorstep.
- Impact: For every order we offset 7kgs of CO2 and rescue 2 plastic bottles from the Ocean. Check our impact here
Environmental Impact
Our efforts to reduce our CO2 emissions generated by the sending of your orders mean that today Clozist is Carbon Positive on its shipments.
With the help of Greenspark we voluntarily offset 7kg of CO2 and remove 2 plastic bottles from the oceans with each order at no extra cost to you.
Why 7kgs (15.43 lb)?
We took the average Carbon Emission of a 2lb package ground sent from NYC to LA and multiply that number by 4.
Why 2 bottles?
Millions of plastic bottles pollute our oceans every year, two standard bottles are a daily recommended water intake. We're committed to cleaning them up.
About SLATE + SALT
Slate + Salt is a socially conscious lifestyle brand offering a curated collection of modern, one-of-a-kind pieces handcrafted by artisans around the world. Their collections include jewelry, accessories, textiles, and decorative objects — all created using traditional techniques and fair trade practices.
Their mission is simple and powerful: to connect modern design with ancient craftsmanship, while supporting dignified work opportunities in communities facing extreme poverty.
Slate + Salt works closely with small social enterprises and Fair Trade cooperatives to ensure that every product supports ethical production, fair wages, and long-term economic empowerment — especially for women artisans.
Every item has a story.
Behind each piece is a person, a family, and a community. By choosing ethically produced goods, you help artisans remain in their villages, support their families, educate their children, and preserve cultural traditions that might otherwise disappear.
Because all products are handmade and often hand-dyed, each piece is naturally unique. Slight variations are part of their beauty — a reminder that these are not mass-produced objects, but human creations made with care.
Slate + Salt was founded by an avid traveler who fell in love with the people, cultures, and craftsmanship she encountered across developing countries. Through deep relationships with artisan groups and Fair Trade partners, the brand brings meaningful, ever-evolving collections to a global community that values beauty with purpose.
At Clozist, we are proud to feature Slate + Salt because their work reflects what we believe in: products that are beautiful, ethical, meaningful — and that create positive impact through everyday choices.
Shipping & Delivery
Orders are usually dispatched within 2-3 business days.
The shipping rate is calculated and displayed at checkout. Free shipping is available for orders over $49.00 for Shakers members of our reward program, and with no minimum, for Makers members (We can't offer free shipping when the lowest shipping cost exceeds $10).
Shipment confirmation and order tracking:
Once your order is fulfilled, you receive a tracking number to follow your package by email. Allow 24-48 hours for the carrier to update the tracking number in its system.
We might ship your order in more than 1 package. In that case, you receive a tracking number for each shipment.
Your order might be delayed in case we experience a high volume of orders. If your order fulfillment is delayed, we will let you know by email asap.