A Cuban woman identified as Vanessa Laura showcased on social media how objects that would typically end up in the trash gain a second —and even third— life in Cuba, from paint buckets used for storing water to household appliances repaired time and again.
The video, published on Facebook, has garnered over 177,000 views and hundreds of comments, sparking a debate that has crossed the island's borders: is it a renowned "Cuban invention" or solutions born from decades of scarcity?
"We don't throw anything away here in Cuba, and that's exactly what this video is about — sometimes what seems like garbage is actually gold," Vanessa explains as she begins her tour of some of the items she keeps at home.
The young woman displays egg cartons that she cuts and burns to try to ward off mosquitoes; small containers of condiments repurposed as holders for salt and sugar; many glass jars carefully stored, and reused paint buckets for storing water.
In this last case, the explanation reflects one of the everyday problems faced by millions of Cubans.
"In other countries, paint buckets are discarded. Here in Cuba, they are cleaned thoroughly and water is collected. The water situation is very difficult, so we need to collect it," she states.
The water supply crisis in Cuba has forced numerous families to store water whenever they have access to the service, a situation exacerbated by prolonged blackouts and the deterioration of hydraulic infrastructure.
The philosophy of making the most of everything also applies to household appliances.
According to Vanessa, the equipment "gets repaired twenty thousand times because each piece costs a lot, and it's better to fix what's broken than to buy a new one."
It even shows in front of the camera one of those "inventions": it uses an iron and a newspaper to straighten hair, instead of a straightening iron designed for that purpose.
The images provoked numerous reactions from Latin America and Europe. Users from Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic pointed out that reusing containers and repairing objects is not exclusive to Cuba either.
"Then I didn't live in Colombia, but in Cuba. Everything she does is also done in Colombia, as they seek to make the most of what is available," commented an internet user.
Other users, however, pointed out a difference: recycling by choice is not the same as reusing because it is difficult or costly to replace something that is broken or discarded.
"In Spain, some of us also recycle and use everything, but of course, it’s more about awareness. Your situation is due to sheer force, and you don’t deserve it," wrote a user.
Reactions ranging from humor to resignation also emerged from Cuba itself.
"I live in Cuba and I didn't know it, I don't know whether to laugh or cry," commented a Cuban woman.
An internet user living in Havana summarized this adaptability with a well-known phrase among Cubans: "What we don’t know how to do, we invent; we live off improvisation and storytelling."
The use of burnt egg cartons to try to scare away mosquitoes has also raised warnings among users. "That thing about scaring mosquitoes is false. You only contaminate the environment, and if you breathe it in, you dirty your lungs," noted a user.
The video adds to other viral content that showcases the makeshift solutions many Cubans use to cope with daily shortages. In early September, another Cuban shared her method for reusing charcoal, in a recording that surpassed half a million views.
Vanessa concludes her journey with a phrase that encapsulates the spirit of the video and, for many of those who reacted, also reflects a daily reality on the island:
"We, as Cubans, will always find a way to innovate."
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