Currently in its 4th year, Breadtags For Wheelchairs has been constantly growing since its inception. The project encourages the collection of breadtags via collection points around South Africa. Once enough breadtags are collected, they are used to “purchase” wheelchairs for people who need them, but are unable to afford them due to financial difficulties.

Breadtags are made from high density polystyrene, a material that can be recycled into products like coat hangers, seedling trays, cornices, skirtings, outdoor furniture, poles and decking.

“We don’t want to see these breadtags end up in our country’s landfills as they have a good recycling market value”, explains Adri Spangenberg, CEO of the Polystyrene Council. “Factories manufacturing polystyrene and other plastics consume less energy when they used recycled products, resulting in a cleaner, greener and healthier environment”.

“This initiative is going from strength to strength. Last year alone, we were able to donate wheelchairs to 137 people thanks to the collection of breadtags by schools, businesses, old age homes, the Girl Scouts and our 105 coordinators volunteering their time and effort. The project is also gaining momentum across South Africa thanks to large corporations who donated 70 wheelchairs and the likes of Sasko and Kwikloc who are also are putting their weight behind us by pledging to donate two wheelchairs for every one wheelchair that is bought with the breadtags ”, Adri says.

"It is important for us to raise awareness that Polystyrene is successfully being recycled in South Africa and to create new markets for this recycled product, while at the same time changing somebody’s life with one small act of kindness”, Adri concludes. For more information about how to get involved in the Breadtags for Wheelchair project, and for locations for various drop off points around the country visit www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za or visit their Facebook page here.