Monthly Newsletter | Issue 1, October 2026
SEWING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Successful events are increasingly measured not only by what happens during the event, but by how responsibly materials are managed afterwards.
At the CTICC, fabric banners that cannot be reused because of event-specific branding are diverted from landfill and donated to Uthando (Love) South Africa’s Sewing for Sustainability initiative. To date, these banners have been transformed into more than 315 durable, reusable tote bags.
Giving materials a second life
Every event leaves something behind. Fabric banners, for example, are often designed around a particular event and feature bespoke branding, dates and messaging that make them unsuitable for future use. But while their original purpose may end when the event closes, the material itself can still be put to good use.
Through our partnership with Uthando (Love) South Africa, the CTICC donates suitable banners to its Sewing for Sustainability initiative, which connects environmental responsibility with skills development. The programme teaches women practical sewing and design skills while creating opportunities to transform discarded materials into useful products.
The donated event banners are cut, redesigned and sewn into durable, reusable tote bags. More than 315 bags have been created to date, with the finished products sold to recover production costs and help sustain the initiative.
Creating value beyond the event
For the CTICC and its event organisers, this demonstrates how sustainability can extend beyond simply diverting waste from landfill. Considering the lifecycle of the materials and finding ways to keep them in use for longer can create value well beyond the event itself – reducing waste, supporting communities and creating job opportunities.
A banner created for a single event can, therefore, have a much longer and meaningful story to tell.
Putting purpose into practice
The tote bags are available directly from Uthando (Love) South Africa, with proceeds supporting the Sewing for Sustainability initiative. To purchase a bag, contact Uthando (Love) South Africa on 072 289 5968. Event organisers who would like to explore a partnership with Uthando South Africa for their next event can get in touch with the CTICC team to find out more.