Pick n Pay has launched a new 100% recycled RPET bag to help raise funds for the ‘Save our Beach Huts’ – a project aimed at restoring the 36 beach huts in Muizenberg and St James that are strongly rooted in Cape Town’s heritage.
Proceeds from the limited edition reusable bags – showcasing a beautiful print of the iconic beach huts – will be donated to the project. The PnP bags will be available in selected stores nationwide for just R30.
“The Save our Beach Huts reusable shopping bags will help protect a landmark in Cape Town – favourably known and recognised by locals and tourists alike – but also do an important job of protecting the environment. Pick n Pay’s range of reusable bags are made from 100% recycled PET plastic and through the sale of these bags, we have been able to support a range of causes, ranging from environmental, food security or those with a social impact,” says Andre Nel, General Manager: Sustainability at Pick n Pay.
The Save Our Beach Huts project was launched in September last year by local Southern Suburbs resident Angela Gorman to repair the huts to their former glory.
To date, one hut has been restored thanks to the donation of time, material and labour by various companies, explains Gorman.
“We are appealing to the community to support this project and immediately thought of Pick n Pay,” says Gorman.
Pick n Pay did a limited edition RPET bag for SANCCOB last year to raise money and this made Gorman approach the retailer to do a Save our Beach Huts statement bag of its own. “We hope to refurbish two huts with the proceeds from the Pick n Pay bag sales and think the bag – like the SANCCOB bag – can help create more awareness and support for the project,” she says.
The cost to restore each beach hut depends on the severity of damage, and Gorman says many are in a terrible state of despair. “From a distance, the huts may appear fine, but on closer inspection, you can see the years of neglect. There are up to three different layers of paint peeling, planks are missing and stair treads are broken. Some huts no longer have doors or windows, or floorboards and side planks have disappeared.”
She says that they are taking a different approach to the restoration to ensure longevity. “Instead of sanding and repainting the huts, we are completely cladding the huts in Nutec board which is light in weight and watertight, as well as fire, fungus and rodent resistant too.
“It is amazing to see how communities are rallying behind our project,” says Gorman.
The Butterfly Art Project in Vrygrond have offered to make ceramic earrings depicting the beach huts to sell with a percentage coming to the project, and a sewing group in Nyanga will make tea towels with embroidered beach huts on them. While Everite SA have undertaken to supply all the Nutec board for all of the huts. City Council have offered to paint five huts, and two Muizenberg paint contractors have offered to supply paint and labour for a hut each.
Any corporate or individual wishing to get involved can contact saveourbeachuts@gmail.com / 079 504 1933, or donate here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/save-muizenberg-beach-huts