Chapter 11

I grew up being told that, "What's old to you, is new to someone else." Repurposing and recycling has become a norm for most of us. We give away clothes, reuse or recycle plastic, glass and paper, but what happens to advertising billboard signs, old tents and used kites? Well! They are turned into wear-resistant, waterproof clothing, bags and accessories. With the current wet weather in South Africa, they could really come in handy.

Street Sleeper is a social enterprise that upcycles PVC advertising billboards by turning them into sleeping bags. Created by Oliver Brian, the material protects an individual from the elements at night and doubles up as a backpack during the day. The bag also has a pillow cover that can be filled with clothes. I Am Green also uses PVC advertising billboards to combat poverty in local communities by training and employing the unemployed to create bags. Both companies are based in South Africa.

Renzo Mancini, an ex-pro kiter, and Eirinn Skrede, a Norwegian stylist, joined forces to create eXkite a company based in Italy, that repurposes ripstop from donated kites into extremely wearable waterproof outerwear. The athletic design makes it appealing to the modern consumer.

All of the items have a story behind them, which makes them custom made for you. Inspired people really have a way of making uninspired people feel special.