The mats are made of plarn, or plastic yarn crafted out of bags that are sliced into pieces and looped into a long chain. It takes about 650 bags to make one mat. Sleeping mats are lightweight, easy to wash, and provide cushiony protection. Harmful effects on non-recycled plastic Bags:Plastic bags are used by everybody. From a vegetable vendor to a designer store, everyone seems to use them. Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the Earth. But, most of us are blissfully unaware of the repercussions that are occurring and will take place in the future because of the plastic bags.
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Cutting the bags into strips to loop into Plarn. Custom slicers fabricated by our very own Epic. As of October 16, 2018, 55,900 bags were folded, cut, looped and crocheted to make 86 mats! Congratulations to all the volunteers! These mats end up with a Homeless on the street or in a Shelter. Eveline's daughter spotted one of her Mom's creations on a street in Winnipeg. Did you happen to spot the matching pillow in the picture on the left? Yes, we make those too with the left over scrap from the bags. Our main focus however, are the mats.
June, 2018 Eveline Tougas started making these mats after seeing a video on U-Tube. "I thought it was a great idea to help the homeless and recycle at the same time...I made 7 mats by collecting bags from family and friends. Epic saved bags for me and so did Co-op. Then this year Lucie Tetrault joined me and she really helped to get things moving. We have taken mats to St. Augustine Shelter for the homeless and to United Church of Canada and to the Bear Clan. Our group has grown to 5 women as well as 3 men who cut the bags for us. We can always use more people, so come join the St.Malo Bag Ladies. We have kept over 30,000 bags out of our landfill and made 47 mats so far." Bring your clean plastic bags to the back of the church, Epic, or to one of the following Volunteers:
If you want to help even more, fold the bags in half before donating them. Thanks! If you would like to participate in the manufacturing process, join our team of volunteersWe are a fun-loving group who enjoy getting out, meeting other people, all while helping a great cause. You can help out as often or as little you like. Call Eveline Tougas @ 204-347-5903 or Lucie Tetrault @ 204-347-4758 if you are interested in volunteering or for more information.
Dec. 3, 2017
A team of crocheters and bag-pilers filled a room in Augustine United Church in Osborne Village. Click on below picture links for videos. |