At the University of Pretoria, sustainability isn’t just taught — it’s practiced. From bread bags to denim offcuts, students are turning waste into tools for social change. The Department of Consumer and Food Sciences integrates Sustainable Development Goals into its teachings and curriculum, resulting in a series of impactful projects that educate students about social impact and sustainability. Read more about these projects:
Blue Ribbon #WasteToWonder competition
Nondumiso Mthembu created a mat and cushions made of used bread bags
The Blue Ribbon #WasteToWonder competition invited students to reimagine plastic waste. They worked in conjunction with communities, creating products together using only Blue Ribbon bread bags. Students were encouraged to share practical skills like crochet with their communities. This competition ran alongside the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences’ UPcycled event, where students and media enjoyed a dinner with each dish made entirely from food waste.
The first-place winner, Nondumiso Mthembu, created a mat and cushions made of used bread bags together with fellow students. These bread bags were transformed into plastic yarn (‘plarn’) and crocheted together to create durable yet appealing home accessories with multiple uses, from picnic mats to cushions.
“Crocheting teaches students valuable skills that they can use to create other recycled products. These skills might also inspire them to take up more creative hobbies or even pursue sustainability-focused careers in the future,” says Nondumiso. “Overall, this project combines education, sustainability and creativity, equipping students with knowledge, skills and a sense of accomplishment that can inspire positive changes for years to come.”
Runner-up Christy Stander created a PlastiPouch and PlastiTote
The runner-up, Christy Stander, presented the PlastiPouch, a water-resistant organiser, and the PlastiTote, a reusable handbag, both made in collaboration with Clothes to Good. “The PlastiPouch and PlastiTote are more than just products; they are symbols of sustainability and community transformation,” says Christy.
In third place, Robyn Tsfafandakis created a woven pencil case in collaboration with Tomorrow’s People
Robyn Tsafandakis, who was placed third, showcased a creative, woven pencil case developed in collaboration with Tomorrow’s People College. During her workshop, she taught teenagers with special needs how to weave plastic strands into fabric, after which each of them created their own pencil cases. “The most rewarding part of the whole journey was seeing the children put their pens and pencils into the pencil cases because it was amazing to see them use what they had created, and it was such an invaluable experience,” says Robyn. “I was so lucky to interact with these children.”
Reach out and Give
RAG of Hope Day was hosted in February this year
RAG is a student-led fundraising and community engagement committee at the UP that focuses on fostering connections between students and their communities. At the 2025 RAG of Hope Day student residences created and old upcycled products to generate charity donations. The Clothing Retail Management division of the The Department of Consumer and Food Sciences showcased its sustainability initiatives alongside other projects at the event to raise awareness and demonstrate innovative ways to recycle, upcycle, and elevate through community collaboration. Read more about RAG of Hope here.
Mapula Embroideries
Stephanie Rowland, Marizaan Spies and Tayla Shoebridge collaborated with Mapula Embroidereries to learn about social enterprise and upcycling
In the Product Development module, final year Clothing Retail Management students use post-consumer textile waste, such as denim and curtains, to produce clothing collections. The University of Pretoria has a long-standing relationship with Mapula Embroideries, a community-based initiative that creates opportunities for local women to produce and sell embroidery. With guidance from Mapula Embroideries, students learn how to add value to their upcycled garments using embroidery, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into unique, high-quality fashion. Learn more about Mapula Embroideries here.
Hernieuw
Hernieuw is a recycling initiative founded by Dr Güera Romo
Final year students collaborate with Hernieuw, an enterprise that develops usable, sellable product prototypes from recycled textile waste, as part of their final-year Textiles module. Students learn about resource efficiency, product development aligned with consumer preferences and successful alternative business models. Read more about Hernieuw here.
They are also powerful reminders that creativity, sustainability, and social impact go hand in hand
The goal of these collaborations is to support SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production through circular economy initiatives and local empowerment. They are also powerful reminders that creativity, sustainability, and social impact go hand in hand.
By reimagining waste as a resource, these initiatives inspire change and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
- Dr Hanri Taljaard-Swart is a lecturer and researcher with a PhD in Consumer Science Clothing Management
