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Recycled Plastic Bag Animals
Our
fair trade African recycled plastic bag animals are made
from a high percentage of used plastic bags and some of
the new plastic bags are recycled - post consumer.
The recycled plastic bags crafters make many items. We offer the plastic bags animals including recycled plastic bag chickens, roosters, dogs, pigs, zebras, flamingos, turkeys, owls and deer.
The
recycled plastic bag crafters work in small groups for
themselves. Most of these crafters are from townships near
Cape Town.
The
first person to make a recycled plastic bag animal is
known as Isaac. He was born in the Eastern Cape. In 1984
riots forced him to leave after only 8 years of schooling.
He went to stay with an Aunt in Cape Town. In 1992 he was
involved in a serious accident. While visiting his mother
in Johannesburg in 1996 and worrying about his future, as
he was unable to keep a regular job due to his injuries,
he meant a Ghanaian man who taught him to make paper
flowers. He decided to replace the paper for plastic and
began making plastic bag flowers and finally made his
first plastic bag chicken. They became immediately
popular. Since then he became known as the chicken man and
has trained a dozen people in his community. Seven of his
trainees set up their own business of plastic bag animals
and more. Today Isaac employs 8 crafters and is able to
educate his son, live in a modest home, own a car and
provide livelihood for others.
One of Isaac's trainees is named Peacemaker. He was educated through the 4th grade. Due to unrest and financial problems he was sent to live with his grandmother in the Free State and never continued his education. As a child he learned that he was a talented crafter and could make animals from most media. Using his talents he has also trained 4 women to make recycled plastic bag animals and more. He is also a talented musician and has his own band.
As our fair trade recycled plastic bag animals are handmade the sizes, colors and shapes may vary somewhat from those shown.