Everything is plastic... and it's not fantastic
From plastic straws to waterbottles, plastic has long been an essential part of our lives, although it is having detrimental effects on the planet.
We will probably never be able to completely rid the world of plastic, but that does not mean we should stop trying.
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Slowly but surely people are making changes and moving away from the bad plastics. Paper straws, metal straws, biodegradable plastics, reusable or compostable food containers, the list goes on.
The next industry making moves away from plastic is fashion and Twyg is taking the lead.
The not-for-profit company focuses on inspiring and supporting an eco-conscious lifestyle, while also continuing to be forward-thinking.
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With this year's #PlasticFreeMzansi campaign they have decided to engage five fashion designers in their #RefashionPlastic campaign, challenging them to make garments and accessories from plastic waste found around their homes and studios.
The local fashion industry turned to waste materials and upcycled these materials, turning them into incredible garments.
The clothing piece that garnered the most attention during this campaign was a trench coat, created by Lezanne Viviers of VIVIERS Studio.
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The eye-catching coat was made up of "disposable sterilisation" medical fabric. This included fabric that had previously been used as sheets in hospital theatres and packaging from the apparatus.
Here's a look at the VIVIERS trench coat:
This initiative from Twyg is very welcomed as WWF (World Wildlife Fund) South Africa found that 61% of marine plastic waste is of low value, meaning it mostly consists of single-use items and sachets.
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And ultimately only 14% of the plastic in the world is collected for recycling.
Make sure to check out the post below to learn more about the five individual designers and the #RefashionPlastic campaign:
So next time you head out, remember to pack your reusable straw and coffee cup, because every little bit helps.
Main image courtesy of Pexels