Turning discarded VHS tapes into a footstool won the Re.Bag.Re.Use initiative, a well-deserved Bronze at the SAPRO Awards, proving that one person’s trash is another’s award-winning treasure!
Hout Bay, South Africa (29 August 2025) – VHS cassettes may be a thing of the past to most, but it is this very old-school media that has become the pride and joy of the Re.Bag.Re.Use upcycling initiative.
Known for its ability to use waste, creativity and community to create extraordinary treasures, the organisation was awarded Bronze in the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) Awards in the Creative Solutions category, for its innovative VHS footstool!
This accolade celebrates the ingenuity of transforming hard-to-recycle waste into meaningful, functional and sustainable design.
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.
What makes the footstool truly unique is that it contains 100% repurposed material, with absolutely no virgin input. To date, nearly 1,000 VHS tapes have been diverted from landfills through this project.
Regine le Roux, Founder of Re.Bag.Re.Use, shares that the 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.”
The initiative does more than protect the environment. By working with women in the community and local businesses, Re.Bag.Re.Use creates income-generating opportunities, offering both dignity and purpose through craft.
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“It shows how design thinking and craftsmanship can address complex waste streams while creating something people want in their homes. It is this type of creative repurposing that drives our recycling economy forward.”
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.
Sources: Supplied
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