A practical solution by two women who used lockdown to transform bread bags
A community project called Re.Bag.Re.Use emerged during the lockdown and makes use of plastic destined for landfills.
During the hard lockdown, many people decided to use their time efficiently.
Perhaps this is the reason that we found many people ramping up their hobbies and turning them into small businesses or just involving more community members so that they could find some solace.
Vic Naidoo recently shared with us how he used the lockdown period to expand his brand, Bombass Clothing. What started off as a men's only clothing brand became something that wanted to celebrate any and every body type.
It just goes to show that the lockdown wasn't necessarily the worst time of our lives. It taught many of us grand lessons when it comes to being alone, appreciating our loved ones, and even helped us look inward and pursue our passions.
Well, that's exactly what happened with this brand that took regular old bread bags made of plastic and turned them into reusable shopping bags.
"Regine le Roux, of Hout Bay, Western Cape, started a community project called Re.Bag.Re.Use. To make use of plastic, she went bag to her old hobby of crotchet and started making shopping bags out of recycled plastic." (MSN)
During this time, I realised just how much plastic was being generated and thrown away every day, so I decided to find a way to re-purpose it. Crocheting with plastic worked.
There are now six ladies from the Harbour and Imizamo Yetho in Hout Bay who are transforming empty bread bags into magnificent shopping bags.
She used this opportunity as a double-edged sword to create employment and also to curb the issue of pollution, which is a huge issue for our oceans. And the best part is that it is both functional and a great way of being creative.
The sales from the bags are used to pay a stipend to the crocheters, the cutters, and a percentage also goes to a local charity. Recently, a lady bought nine bags that were taken to the United States as gifts! We’re absolutely thrilled that these bags are now ‘international.
She also shared that it takes around 30 bread bags and eight hours to complete one shopping bag.
"Two ladies cut the plastic bags into strips for us to crochet with. When a Re.Bag.Re.Use bag is purchased, not only is it keeping plastic from going to the landfill, but it is also investing into the empowerment of the local community and charities." (MSN)
Image Courtesy of Facebook