As International Upcycling Day approaches on 24 June, Re.Bag.Re.Use is proud to spotlight the power of turning waste into worth. This creative community initiative, based in Hout Bay, brings together 21 women: 15 crocheters and six cutters who repurpose discarded bread bags into beautiful, multifunctional items.
Through their hands and hooks, plastic waste is given new life as stylish, sustainable products that not only reduce environmental harm but also generate income, spark creativity and foster community pride.
One of the first women to join the Re.Bag.Re.Use team, Joana Mnisi, shares her journey.
A grandmother with a gentle smile and a determined spirit, Joana has become a quiet yet powerful presence in the group. Armed with patience and purpose, she transforms empty plastic bags into beautiful multi-functional crocheted creations that carry more than groceries. They carry a message.
“Each stitch is a small step towards a cleaner environment,” she says. “When my grandchildren visit, I show them what I’m working on and remind them that waste doesn’t have to be wasted. It’s something we can reuse. It’s something we can learn from.”
Joana’s craftsmanship is second to none. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence set a high standard for the team. For her, the journey is both environmental and personal. She continues to learn new patterns and techniques, proving that growth has no age limit. “I never imagined I would be learning like this at my age,” she says. “Every project teaches me something new.”
Thanks to the generous support of Blue Ribbon, the Re.Bag.Re.Use team has repurposed an astonishing 14,843 Blue Ribbon bread bags from June 2024 to May 2025. This weighs in at just under 104 kg, roughly the weight of a baby elephant. Since the project began in April 2020, they have collectively diverted more than 144,000 bags from landfill, over 1,009 kg of plastic saved. For a touch of perspective: that’s the equivalent of more than eight baby elephants.
“At Blue Ribbon, we believe in creating a better tomorrow through the choices we make today,” says Jenelle Bosman, senior brand manager at Blue Ribbon. “Supporting Re.Bag.Re.Use allows us to contribute to cleaner communities, while empowering women like Joana to teach the next generation the value of upcycling and environmental care.”
Together, these 21 women are crocheting change, one bread bag, one loop, one stitch at a time. Their work is proof that upcycling is not only about reducing waste, but about creating value, dignity and opportunity in every thread.
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Media Contact
Regine le Roux
0833021528
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 an award-winning 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.
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