Innovation spotlight · 30 September 2026 · 3 min read
Repurpose Schoolbags: plastic litter turned into solar-powered school bags
Thato Kgatlhanye turned discarded plastic bags into school bags that charge in the sun on the walk to school, then light up homework at night.
Two problems sat side by side in many South African communities: plastic bags littering the streets, and children with no proper bag for their books, and no light to study by once the sun went down.
One bag, three solutions
In 2013, Thato Kgatlhanye and her team at Rethaka started Repurpose Schoolbags. The bags were made from recycled plastic shopping bags. A small solar panel charged during the walk to school, and at night the bag became a lamp with up to 12 hours of light for homework. Reflective strips helped keep children visible on the road.
Why the world noticed
The idea was featured by outlets including Forbes and the BBC because it did something rare. It turned a waste problem, an education problem and a safety problem into one product a child could carry.
The builder’s lesson
Look for the places where problems overlap. When one design meets several needs at once, it is easier for people to say yes, and easier for supporters to back.
Sources
Independent editorial summary, not a Launchpad campaign or endorsement. No affiliation is implied. Claims describe the cited source’s publication period, not necessarily current performance; sources checked 30 September 2026.
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