Multi-award winning recycle initiative Re.Bag.Re.Use has been awarded Bronze in the Creative Solutions category by the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) for their footstools made from discarded videotapes, wood offcuts and fabric scraps.
Crafted entirely from repurposed materials, the VHS footstool is a striking example of creativity meeting sustainability.
The internal structure is built from discarded VHS cassettes, while the tape inside each cassette is deconstructed and crocheted into a durable, textured cover.
Offcuts of wood and fabric, sourced and upholstered by a local upholsterer in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, complete the finishing and provide strength, comfort, and style.
Re.Bag.Re.Use was started during the Covid-19 lockdown and is also known for turning trash into cash by crocheting fashionable bags from plastic waste.
Founder Regine le Roux said what makes the footstool truly unique is that it contains 100 percent repurposed material, with absolutely no virgin input.
To date, nearly 1 000 VHS tapes have been diverted from landfills to this project.
Regine says: "This award is not just recognition for the product, but for the community behind it.
"Every piece we make tells a story of sustainability, creativity, and opportunity. The VHS footstool, beautifully brought to life by upholsterer Fatsan John Singano and crocheter Joana Mnisi, challenges how we think about waste.
"It proves that even the most obsolete items can be given a new life that is both stylish and functional.
"This accolade celebrates the ingenuity of transforming hard-to-recycle waste into meaningful, functional and sustainable design.”
The initiative does more than just protect the environment but they offer job opportunities for women in the community and local businesses by creating income-generating opportunities, offering both dignity and purpose through craft.
The award underscores the vital role that small-scale, artisanal solutions play in tackling South Africa’s recycling challenges. While modest in scale, the VHS footstool demonstrates the potential of creativity and collaboration in building a more sustainable future.