What do more than 1,000 discarded bread bags look like when they are given a second life?
At the recent Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) Africa conference, hosted at The Venue in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg (17 to 18 March 2026), they became a visible part of the event experience.
Each lanyard was created through Re.Bag.Re.Use, where plastic waste is carefully cleaned, cut, and transformed into durable strips, before being crocheted into functional items. In this case, conference lanyards.
Jo Brophy Head of Africa, PRCA, said, “We were absolutely delighted to partner with Re.Bag.Re.Use for this year’s PRCA South Africa Conference. The lanyards brought a wonderful splash of colour and conversation to the event, serving as a constant reminder of the impact of sustainable innovation. It was a privilege to showcase such meaningful craftsmanship.”
Behind every piece is a person.
Joana Mnisi, the lead crocheter on the project, helped bring these lanyards to life, turning what would have been waste into something practical, visible, and meaningful.
What stood out most was not only the product, but the positive response to these colourful lanyards.
On Global Recycling Day (18 March), it is a timely reminder that even something as humble as a bread bag can be transformed into something practical and visually striking.
It is encouraging to see platforms like PRCA creating space for more responsible, thoughtful choices around events and materials. Small decisions, when made collectively, can shift behaviour and perception.
The initiative also includes what Re.Bag.Re.Use refers to as the Lanyard Loop. Delegates who do not wish to keep their lanyards can return them at a designated collection point. Each lanyard is then sanitised and prepared for reuse at future events, helping to keep materials in circulation and reduce waste.
Re.Bag.Re.Use is built on a simple idea, making something meaningful out of what would otherwise be discarded. Each bread bag contributes to additional income for the women who prepare and crochet the material, reduces environmental impact, and supports more responsible consumption.
When you wear a Re.Bag.Re.Use lanyard, you are carrying more than a name badge. You are carrying a story.
Learn more: www.rebagreuse.com
