Cape Town - Re.Bag.Re.Use, a community initiative that repurposes plastic into multifunctional items, has given video home system (VHS) tapes and cassette tapes a second life.
After noticing that VHS and cassette tapes are not recyclable or not accepted by recyclers, founder Regine le Roux, decided to find a way to repurpose the material, and realised that the ribbon inside these tapes is a marvellous material to crochet with.
These repurposed plastic products, scatter cushions, sling bags and place mats are trendy with their textured pattern, 1980’s revival style and sustainability .
Le Roux said she looked what was out there and something triggered her to pursue VHS tapes and cassette tapes
“I decided to experiment with the ribbon inside the tapes.
“It is marvellous to repurpose the different products,” she said.
One of the Re.Bag.Re.Use artists who crochets with the video tapes, Rita Ncube, said it is incredible to think that something that seems as useless and defunct as an old VHS tape, can be made into something beautiful.
The initiative, which was born during the Covid-19 pandemic, started as a hobby, as Le Roux realised how much plastic was generated and thrown away every day.
The Hout Bay resident and her team initially started with a multifunctional bag, crocheted and repurposed from empty bread bags, however, as the project grew, they decided to add additional products.
Le Roux said she did not think the project would be such a success.
“The interest we have received in this project has been phenomenal and I did not think it would grow as big as it has. I am proud of what we have done,” she said.
The women, who are part of Le Roux’s project, get paid a stipend for crocheting Re.bag.Re.Use products and a percentage of sales goes to local charities.
She said her goal was always to make a difference in her community.
“These are an incredible bunch of women who inspire me daily,” she added.