An Australian community organisation collects the ubiquitous little plastic bread tags nationally, recycling them locally and raising funds to buy wheelchairs for disadvantaged people in South Africa.
Recycling bread tags, providing wheelchairs
Each year, millions of bread tags end up in landfill – but a concept out of South Africa has inspired an Adelaide charity called Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs to collect and recycle them, with the money gained helping the disabled.
The idea came from South Africa and still benefits underprivileged South Africans
A woman named Mary Honeybun started Bread Tags for Wheelchairs in South Africa in 2006. Retiring from nursing, she wanted to help others and was also passionate about the environment. Mary was aware that the majority of people in need of wheelchairs in South Africa were unable to afford to buy their own.
After a while, Australians got wind of the program. People with South African connections started taking tags with them when they visited and some people posted bread tags. Jodie Falco at 1079 Life radio station in Adelaide promoted Bread Tags for Wheelchairs on air and the tags started flowing in.
By late 2018 there was sufficient interest across Australia to set up a national collection network. Jenny Cooper, a South African who had migrated to Australia in the 1990’s, took up the challenge, setting up a Facebook page, contacting those who had expressed interest, and creating a map of collection points and some promotional materials.
The response was amazing, with the network very soon growing rapidly. In February 2019 we engaged with a local recycler, Transmutation, in Robe, SA. By early 2020, there were 350 collection points in every state and territory and 100kg+ of bread tags being recycled every month. Recycling of 250kg of bread tags funds an entry level wheelchair, although some cost more, depending on the client’s needs.
The network of volunteers continues to grow – including collectors, collection point hosts, state coordinators, colour sorters and people who help with transport. The organisation is supported by schools, child care centres, small businesses, local councils, churches, community centres, hospitals and aged care facilities.
The bread tags are recycled in Robe, South Australia, by Transmutation, run by Brad and Narelle Scott. Transmutation run a craft plastic recycling operation and retail shop, selling their own products, as well as other products supplied by Australian artisans that share their vision to recycle, reuse and reduce landfill.
Transmutation take monthly shipments of bread tags from the organisation, recycling the tags to make bowls, boards, coasters and door knobs. These products can be purchased online, from their shop in Robe, or from their distributors around Australia. White boards and bowls are available at some Country Road outlets.
2,657 kg of Aussie bread tags have been recycled to date, and the current recycling rate is 200kg of bread tags per month.
Source: Ozbreadtagsforwheelchairs.org.au
HOW CAN I DONATE?
While most of our funds come from the recycling of bread tags, donations allow us to provide more wheelchairs. Click for details.