"Da lata" in Portuguese means "from the can" and it is also the name of Astrid Barney's fashion brand which creates eco - ethical designs that are clever, chic and classically inspired. Da Lata exclusively works with recycled aluminium ring pulls collected by "catadores" (Portuguese for "can pickers") who are part of a larger organisation of waste-pickers. Such activities are now officially recognized as occupations by the Brazilian government and are supported. This acceptance and legalization has allowed many disadvantaged people to earn money by collecting discarded cans to sell. The ring pulls which are not stained, dirty or broken are collected and sold. Astrid supports exceptionally talented artisans from her native Brazil by employing them to make her designs. If it wasn't for her such people would otherwise find it difficult to find work. Astrid provides them with stability and an income in return for their amazing craftsmanship. In addition she returns more than 25% of the profits to them making her designs not only eco friendly but also fair trade goods.

Astrid gives the ring pulls a new lease of life by transforming them into durable wearable works of art. The ring pulls are clean and flattened to make them safe and comfortable to wear before they start linking them with crochet techniques. Astrid's designs are refreshingly unique, effortlessly cool, light weight and charming. Her designs will shine and glisten when you wear them and are also beautiful versatile accessories that bring a touch of glamour to any casual look.

The aluminium cans go to recycling plants. Aluminium recycling is very beneficial to the environment as it only uses around 5% of the energy needed to make it from the raw material bauxite and it can be recycled over and over again without loss of properties. In Brazil thanks to catadores over 91% of aluminium cans are recycled each year, making Brazil a world leader in recycled aluminium.