This backpack was trash. Now it's a life-saving schoolbag for kids

by Lauren Said-Moorhouse, for CNN

Updated 1619 GMT (0019 HKT) November 13, 2015

<a href="http://www.repurposeschoolbags.com/" target="_blank">Repurpose Schoolbags</a> is the first green initiative from Rethaka, a South Africa-based social startup founded by childhood friends-turned-business partners Thato Kgatlhanye and Rea Ngwane.
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – Repurpose Schoolbags is the first green initiative from Rethaka, a South Africa-based social startup founded by childhood friends-turned-business partners Thato Kgatlhanye and Rea Ngwane.
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The Repurpose Schoolbags were designed with the end users -- local schoolchildren -- in mind. Made from 100% recycled plastic, the upcycled backpack features a solar panel that charges during the day while the child is walking to school so that it doubles as a light source after dark to allow the student to finish their homework. Additionally strips of reflective material are included in the design for safety reasons so children walking to school are easily visible early in the morning.
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – The Repurpose Schoolbags were designed with the end users -- local schoolchildren -- in mind. Made from 100% recycled plastic, the upcycled backpack features a solar panel that charges during the day while the child is walking to school so that it doubles as a light source after dark to allow the student to finish their homework. Additionally strips of reflective material are included in the design for safety reasons so children walking to school are easily visible early in the morning.
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Reusing upcycled plastic waste to produce backpacks for pupilis was a completely foreign concept to the town and the entrepreneurs have spent a lot of time to ensure their staff are well-trained.
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – Reusing upcycled plastic waste to produce backpacks for pupilis was a completely foreign concept to the town and the entrepreneurs have spent a lot of time to ensure their staff are well-trained.
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The bags are made from local plastic waste gathered at schools or collected at landfill sites. Once it arrives at the factory, it is processed and upcycled into a textile before being sewn into backpacks complete with solar panels and reflective material.
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – The bags are made from local plastic waste gathered at schools or collected at landfill sites. Once it arrives at the factory, it is processed and upcycled into a textile before being sewn into backpacks complete with solar panels and reflective material.
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The duo grew up in Rustenburg, a traditionally mining town in South Africa's North West province. The bright young millennials wanted to develop a culture of entrepreneurship in their hometown while providing employment opportunities and helping their community in a meaningful way.
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – The duo grew up in Rustenburg, a traditionally mining town in South Africa's North West province. The bright young millennials wanted to develop a culture of entrepreneurship in their hometown while providing employment opportunities and helping their community in a meaningful way.
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"We currently have a total of eight full-time staff: six of which are women. It's the kind of culture we've tried to have in our company is that it is very inclusive and a culture of creativity beyond measure," says Kgatlhanye.
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – "We currently have a total of eight full-time staff: six of which are women. It's the kind of culture we've tried to have in our company is that it is very inclusive and a culture of creativity beyond measure," says Kgatlhanye.
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Kgatlhanye says: "We looked around in our community and there was nothing that excited us. So for us it was a challenge to say 'If there's nothing in Rustenburg that we want to be a part of as young people, we can actually do something about it and register our company.' So we did exactly that -- do remarkable work that will involve other young people and make a difference."
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – Kgatlhanye says: "We looked around in our community and there was nothing that excited us. So for us it was a challenge to say 'If there's nothing in Rustenburg that we want to be a part of as young people, we can actually do something about it and register our company.' So we did exactly that -- do remarkable work that will involve other young people and make a difference."
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The pair registered their company at 18. By the time they graduated from college, they had their startup idea and set about making it a reality. But at 21 (Kgathanye) and 22 years old (Ngwane), one of the hardest obstacles was to be taken seriously. Ngwane attributes their success so far to passion the two share for their work. "We didn't just start out as youngsters -- we've overcome every single obstacle that was thrown our way and that says to people lets take these young women seriously."
Photos: It's a bag. And a light. And so much more.
More than just a backpack – The pair registered their company at 18. By the time they graduated from college, they had their startup idea and set about making it a reality. But at 21 (Kgathanye) and 22 years old (Ngwane), one of the hardest obstacles was to be taken seriously. Ngwane attributes their success so far to passion the two share for their work. "We didn't just start out as youngsters -- we've overcome every single obstacle that was thrown our way and that says to people lets take these young women seriously."
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