Monday, 23 December 2024
Thursday, 12 December 2024
Don’t Head Out This Summer Without Your Hat!
Caption: Margaret Nyika (left) and Sakile Ndlovu (right) from the Re.Bag.Re.Use team have your head covered this holiday! These beautiful sun hats have been crocheted using empty Blue Ribbon bread bags. Approximately 40 empty bread bags are used to make one hat—meaning 40 fewer plastic bags end up in landfill when you support Re.Bag.Re.Use by buying a hat. With each sale, a percentage is also donated to the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) and the SPCA.
Summer is here, and so are sunny days, beach trips, and outdoor adventures. But before you head out to soak up the sun, make sure you’ve got your ultimate summer essential: a Re.Bag.Re.Use hat!
These hats are not just stylish—they’re light, comfy, and sustainable, making them the perfect accessory for sunny adventures. And get this: they’re made from repurposed empty bread bags! Each hat in this year’s collection uses approximately 40 empty Blue Ribbon bread bags, turning waste into a fabulous fashion statement.
Four Reasons Why You’ll Love your Re.Bag.Re.Use Hat:
Stay Sun-Safe: A wide-brimmed hat is your best friend for protecting your face and neck from harmful UV rays. Pair it with sunscreen, and you’re ready to enjoy the sunshine!
Stylish: These handcrafted hats aren’t just practical—they’re a true statement piece.
Care for the Planet: Each hat keeps approximately 40 bread bags out of landfill, transforming waste into wearable art.
Support Communities: Every purchase not only supports the team who creates these works of art but also contributes to the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) and the SPCA. It’s truly a hat with heart!
Where to Get Yours
Catch us at the Kuier @The Castle market this weekend (14 and 15 December 2024)
and grab your new favorite summer hat in person. Can’t make it? No worries! These beauties are also available online at www.rebagreuse.com
Don’t let the sun ruin your fun! Protect yourself, look fabulous, and make a positive impact—all with a Re.Bag.Re.Use hat. This summer, it’s all about staying cool, stylish, and sustainable
Caption: Make a Fashion Statement with Re.Bag.Re.Use Sun Hats! These stunning hats are crocheted from empty Blue Ribbon bread bags. Each hat uses approximately 40 empty bread bags, keeping 40 plastic bags out of landfill with every purchase. Plus, a percentage of each sale is donated to the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) and the SPCA.
Ready to step out in style and make a difference?
Visit www.rebagreuse.com/blueribbon.html to order your very own Blue Ribbon hat.
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Contact
Regine le Roux
0833021528
Friday, 29 November 2024
Parachutes to Purpose: Crafting Change with Creativity
Caption: This stunning Green˚ beach bag, crocheted from discarded paraglider wings, is proof that every material deserves a second chance. Thanks to a collaboration with the Re.Bag.Re.Use team, its life as a paraglider wing may be over, but something new and beautiful has been created.
From denim pencil cases to paraglider bags, the Green˚ duo proves that no material is too tough to transform into new products, create employment opportunities, and make a meaningful environmental impact.
The dynamic duo Anne Henderson and Cheryl Macdonald, founders of Green Degree (Green˚), have made a significant impact by repurposing discarded denim into pencil cases filled with essential stationery for children in under-resourced areas. Over the past four years, they have taken Capricorn Primary School in Vrygrond, Westlake Primary School, and most recently Caravelle Primary School in Rocklands, Mitchell’s Plain under their wing and have distributed more than 7,100 stationery packs, ensuring young learners are equipped to begin their school careers while spreading an important message about finding value in our ‘waste’ and being mindful about the environment.
But their creativity doesn’t stop there. Driven by a mission that doesn’t harm the earth, create employment opportunities, and raise environmental awareness, Green˚ continually seeks innovative ways to expand their impact and creatively raise funds to support their mission.
Both Anne and Cheryl’s families share a passion for the outdoors, particularly kitesurfing—an activity that relies on large amounts of material. These materials require regular maintenance and eventual replacement, which raises a critical question: how can they be discarded sustainably? Unfortunately, most old kitesurfing sails, paraglider wings and parachutes end up in landfills.
With Green˚’s knack for innovation, Anne and Cheryl saw an opportunity to give these sails a second lease on life—transforming waste into purpose.
“We are continuously looking for initiatives that share our values and align with our mission,” shares Anne. “We also wanted to experiment and try something different. After a successful test run of crocheting with the fabric, our paths crossed with Re.Bag.Re.Use; it felt like everything fell into place—pure synchronicity.”
This Hout Bay-based initiative empowers women from Imizamo Yetho to crochet multifunctional items by repurposing empty bread and plastic bags. They have also made different products and exhibition pieces using fabric. “It was a perfect fit,” Anne continues. “We resonate with their ethos: spreading the impact and love of their work far and wide, keeping the environment clean, providing additional earning opportunities for the local community, and donating a percentage of their sales to the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH)and the SPCA.”
Anne shares, “With this new crocheted product range, we aim to create something truly special— pieces that are incredibly aesthetically pleasing, artistic and durable. Every item is handcrafted and unique. We’re not just making products for the sake of it or churning out items; we want to craft something that stands out.
“There is still so much life left in each piece of material. Its time as a kitesurf sail or paraglider wing might be over, but from it, something new and exciting is born, giving it a second lease on life for many more years. Fast fashion places a huge amount of stress on our natural resources, and we need to be much more mindful about our consumption and the lifecycle of the items we use.”
“100% of our profits are used to fund the pencil cases and stationary for the three schools that we support,” adds Cheryl. “This year alone, we have contributed over R50,000 to the local economies of Masiphumelele in Noordhoek, Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, and Westlake.”
How You Can Support Green˚:
Donate materials: If you have a kitesurf sail, paraglider wing or parachute you’re no longer using and don’t want to send to landfill, please consider donating it to Green˚.
Shop their products: View the delightful products on:
Make a donation: Green˚ is a registered NPO.
Sponsor a pencil case: Help equip a school child with a pencil case filled with essential stationery.
For more information, contact Green˚ via email: anne@greendegree.org or cheryl@greendegree.org
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Media Contact
Regine le Roux
0833021528
regine@rebagreuse.com
Tuesday, 26 November 2024
South African initiative, Re.Bag.Re.Use receives global recognition
We Won the Global Alliance World Public Relations & Communication Award in the ESG Category!
The winners of the prestigious Global Alliance World Public Relations and Communication Awards 2024 were unveiled earlier this week during the World Public Relations Forum in Bali, Indonesia.
This year’s awards program attracted over 100 entries from across the globe, with 19 exceptional campaigns and initiatives emerging victorious in their respective categories. Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprising renowned industry experts and communicators worldwide.
Re.Bag.Re.Use was the only winner from Africa—a proudly South African initiative—taking home the top honour in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Category.
Justin Green, Global Alliance President and CEO, shared, "The ESG category celebrates initiatives that go beyond words to deliver meaningful, sustainable change. This year’s winner, Re.Bag.Re.Use, exemplifies the power of innovative public relations to address pressing global challenges. By repurposing waste into functional products, they are not only reducing environmental footprints but also driving economic empowerment within their community. Re.Bag.Re.Use stands out as a shining example of innovation, purpose, and impact. A project with a global impact, truly deserves world recognition."
Re.Bag.Re.Use founder, Regine le Roux, added, "We’re so humbled, thrilled, and incredibly grateful to every single person and organisation who has contributed—and continues to contribute—to this beautiful initiative. Who would have thought that a simple hobby, an experiment, and a single empty bread bag would snowball into this remarkable, globally recognised initiative?"
To learn more about this initiative, visit www.rebagreuse.com or contact Regine le Roux at regine@rebagreuse.com or 083 302 1528.
For more information about Global Alliance: www.globalalliancepr.org
All the Global Alliance winners: Global Alliance Announces Winners of the World PR and Communication Awards 2024 — Global Alliance
###
Contact
Regine le Roux
0833021528
regine@rebagreuse.com
About Re.Bag.Re.Us
Re.Bag.Re.Use is a community-driven initiative that repurposes discarded bread bags into handcrafted, multifunctional items. Launched in Hout Bay, Cape Town, the project empowers local women by providing them with skills and income opportunities, while promoting environmental sustainability. Each product tells a story of social upliftment, with a portion of the proceeds supporting local charities, including the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) and the SPCA. Re.Bag.Re.Use is transforming waste into opportunity, one stitch at a time.
Wednesday, 20 November 2024
We WON! 🏆
We've just received the incredible news that we’ve won the Global Alliance World Public Relations & Communication Award in the ESG Category!
We’re so humbled, thrilled and incredibly grateful to every single person and organisation who has contributed—and continues to contribute—to this beautiful initiative.
Thank you for being part of this amazing journey!
The Re.Bag.Re.Use Team
🤗🏆🧶🤗🏆🧶🤗
Thursday, 14 November 2024
Cheers to 19 years!🥂
Quantifying your value.
The Reputation Matters Team
🟩🥂🟩🥂🟩
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
From Delivering Fresh Bread to Fresh Ideas: Blue Ribbon Sponsors Re.Bag.Re.Use, Empowering Craftswomen to Put Bread on the Table by Repurposing Empty Bread Bags
Caption: Re.Bag.Re.Use craftswomen with their products made from used Blue Ribbon bread bags. From left to right: Joanna Mnisi, Darmeris Makovere, Linda Pamire, Margaret Nyika, Sakile Ndlovu and Alice Nyasha
Blue Ribbon is excited to announce its sponsorship of Re.Bag.Re.Use, a dynamic community project that transforms empty bread bags into beautifully crocheted, multifunctional items. What began in Hout Bay, Cape Town, has now expanded to Gauteng and Mpumalanga. With Blue Ribbon’s support over the next twelve months, this innovative initiative is set to grow even further. As part of the sponsorship, Blue Ribbon will supply empty bread bags, host a dedicated page on its website linking to the Re.Bag.Re.Use online store, provide online advertising support, and help amplify media exposure—ensuring even greater reach for this impactful project.
Empty bread bags are getting a second lease on life. No longer just discarded plastic, these bags are being transformed into beautiful, functional items. The transformation and repurposing of bread bags not only limits plastic on landfill, but also empowers women. Currently, 24 talented women across the country are involved in the initiative, cutting and crocheting the bread bags, ensuring they don’t end up in landfills.
“This partnership perfectly aligns with Blue Ribbon’s commitment to sustainability and community development. With Re.Bag.Re.Use repurposing bread bags, they not only reduce waste but also provide women with opportunities to develop valuable skills, helping them build more prosperous futures for their families. This initiative reflects Blue Ribbon’s purpose of supporting moms in creating brighter futures for their children, linking environmental responsibility with family well-being,” shares Stephanie Hoy, Marketing Executive for Bakeries at Premier FMCG.
Regine le Roux, founder of Re.Bag.Re.Use, says, “The partnership with Blue Ribbon resonates with us on so many levels. Just as Blue Ribbon uses three simple ingredients to bake their delicious loaves—flour, water, and yeast—our team uses three basic tools to create their unique creations: empty bread bags, scissors, and a crochet needle. And, just as Blue Ribbon continuously improves their recipe to ensure their loaves are packed with flavour and freshness, always delivering on that ‘mmm Yum Taste,’ Re.Bag.Re.Use is constantly finding innovative ways to transform waste into wonder, delivering creativity, sustainability, and purpose with every stitch. Each product is entirely handcrafted, from cutting each bread bag into strips, to the final stitch of the crocheted items. It takes approximately 150 empty bread bags and eight hours to create just one shopping bag,” adds le Roux.
A key goal of the partnership is to create income generating opportunities for women living in underserviced communities. “We’re launching an online platform where the public can purchase a range of products created by Re.Bag.Re.Use (www.rebagreuse.com/blueribbon.html). This not only supports the initiative but also encourages consumers to make sustainable choices by purchasing items where waste has been transformed into something unique and useful. This partnership with Re.Bag.Re.Use underscores Blue Ribbon’s commitment to sustainability and community development. By repurposing waste, educating the public, and empowering women, we continue to champion our mission of supporting moms, helping them turn houses into homes while contributing to a cleaner, greener environment,” says Hoy.
Blue Ribbon’s collaboration with Re.Bag.Re.Use complements its broader sustainability programme. The Packets of Goodness project educates schoolchildren about recycling and encourages them to collect and return used bread bags. Similarly, the Drop and Swop initiative motivates the public to exchange used bread bags for instant rewards. The bags collected through these initiatives are passed on to Re.Bag.Re.Use, where they are repurposed into new, eco-friendly products.
Beyond environmental initiatives, Blue Ribbon remains deeply committed to uplifting communities. The company regularly donates bread through feeding schemes, supports women’s shelters, and engages with youth through soccer tournaments and other activities that help develop skills and create lasting positive impacts in the communities it serves.
Le Roux adds, “With every Re.Bag.Re.Use product sold, a percentage also gets donated to the Neighbourhood Old Age Home and SPCA, spreading the love as far as possible.”
If you would like to support this initiative please visit: www.rebagreuse.com/blueribbon.html or contact regine@rebagreuse.com or 083 3021528. Or visit www.blueribbon.co.za
###
Media Contact
Regine le Roux
0833021528
regine@rebagreuse.com
About Blue Ribbon Bread
Flour. Water. Yeast. The three simple things that make a loaf of bread, but it’s the ability to share, care and connect over Blue Ribbon bread, which has been bringing South Africans together since 1882. Continuous improvements to our product recipe means that our loaves are packed full of flavour and freshness – always delivering on that mmmm Yum Taste.
About Re.Bag.Re.Us
Re.Bag.Re.Use is a community-driven initiative that repurposes discarded bread bags into handcrafted, multifunctional items. Launched in Hout Bay, Cape Town, the project empowers local women by providing them with skills and income opportunities, while promoting environmental sustainability. Each product tells a story of social upliftment, with a portion of the proceeds supporting local charities, including the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) and the SPCA. Re.Bag.Re.Use is transforming waste into opportunity, one stitch at a time.
Friday, 25 October 2024
Get Hooked on Gifting: Re.Bag.Re.Use Unique Stocking Fillers Just in Time for the Festive Season
It’s only October, but guess what? It’s already October! In exactly two months—just eight and a half weeks—it’s Christmas! The December festivities are right around the corner. Now’s the perfect time to start thinking about stocking fillers. But why settle for the usual when you can surprise your loved ones with something truly special?
This year, Re.Bag.Re.Use has your holiday gifting all stitched up with a fabulous range of products that not only support the community but are also easy on the environment. And here’s the cherry on top, or should we say, the perfect stitch: a percentage of every sale goes to the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) and the SPCA. So, while you’re picking out that perfect gift, you’ll also be spreading a little holiday cheer to those who need it most.
Wrapping A Blue Ribbon around Creativity
Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Blue Ribbon (watch this space for more!), Re.Bag.Re.Use now offers an exclusive collection of beautiful, handcrafted items made from empty Blue Ribbon bread bags! From practical shopping bags to moon-bags, these Blue Ribbon creations are not only a fun way to repurpose waste but also serve as a reminder that something as simple as a bread bag can be transformed into a work of art (have a sneak peek here: www.rebagreuse.com/blueribbon.html).
Whether it’s a quirky shopping bag or a cute accessory, every piece is lovingly handcrafted by talented craftswomen. From cutting the strips to the final stitch, it takes approximately 150 empty bread bags and eight hours to create just one shopping bag.
Why Re.Bag.Re.Use Makes the Perfect Gift
Finding gifts that are meaningful, sustainable, and support a good cause can be a challenge. But with Re.Bag.Re.Use, you can slip those worries away. Our products make the perfect stocking fillers for friends and family who care about the environment and love unique, handmade items.
Get Your Orders In Today!
Don’t get tangled up in last-minute holiday shopping. Order your Re.Bag.Re.Use gifts today and make sure your stockings are filled with love, creativity, and a whole lot of community spirit.
Visit www.rebagreuse.com to browse the full range and place your orders ahead of the Christmas rush!
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Wednesday, 2 October 2024
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Without
data, you’re just another person with an opinion ~ renowned statistician W.
Edwards Deming.
Today, on World Statistics Day, we celebrate the vital
role statistics play in understanding and shaping the world around us. At
Reputation Matters, our commitment is to help businesses and communicators
quantify their value and leverage data and insights to elevate their
reputations. Our focus extends beyond just numbers – we aim to build
G.R.E.A.T.E.R. businesses through our core values of Growth, Respect, Ethics,
Authenticity, Trust, Excellence, and Relationships.
At
Reputation Matters, we give your brand a stronger voice by helping you measure
the intangible. Measuring and quantifying your reputation enables you to
identify the areas that you are excelling at and the areas that need some work.
More often than not, issues can be resolved through strategic communication. Numbers
provide credibility to business and communication strategies, allowing
professionals to demonstrate their impact, showcase year-on-year progress, and
proactively identify risks before they escalate. Effective communication
management is a critical function within business leadership.
“The
C-suite is far more likely to listen to facts and figures than intuition. Statistics
underscore the value of measurement over instinct, giving communicators the
credibility they need to be heard at the boardroom table,” says Regine le Roux,
founder and managing director of Reputation Matters. This is especially
relevant in communication and reputation management, which are often seen as
dealing with 'soft' issues like press releases or only being called upon in
times of crisis. In reality, communication is about much more:
·
Building strong,
mutually beneficial relationships;
·
Understanding and
engaging with audiences through timely, appropriate messaging;
·
Ensuring feedback
mechanisms are in place to foster two-way communication.
“Building a reputation is proactive; crisis management
is reactive,” adds le Roux. It is important to remember that you can’t manage
what you have not measured.
“Our proprietary Repudometer® reputation measurement
tool, evaluates ten core areas of a business, we provide clear, data-driven
insights. This approach empowers business owners and communicators to drive their
strategies proactively rather than reactively. By combining the art of
communication with the science of measurement, we ensure that messaging is both
impactful and measurable.
“Our research-driven approach ensures that our
clients' business and communication efforts are grounded in data, allowing them
to build trust and authenticity with their stakeholders.
At Reputation Matters, we understand that facts and
figures, when paired with authentic communication, create meaningful
connections between businesses and their stakeholders, building greater
businesses. Our goal is to ensure companies not only
communicate effectively but also have the data to validate their impact and
reputation.
“Communication professionals play a vital role in
every organisation, and by equipping them with the right data and insights,
they can contribute meaningfully to strategic decisions,” concludes le Roux.
For more information about how Reputation Matters can
help your business quantify its value and enhance its reputation, visit www.reputationmatters.co.za.
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