Repurposing Billboard Banners into Waterproof Mattress Covers

From Waste to Necessity

Billboards, once vibrant and informative, often end up as waste once their advertising campaigns conclude. However, an innovative project by Avbob and Upcycle is turning this waste into a vital resource for communities in need. By repurposing old billboard banners into waterproof mattress covers, we are not only extending the life of mattresses but also providing essential support to early childhood development centres.

Avbob’s commitment to sustainability and community support led to a partnership with Upcycle, an organization dedicated to transforming waste into valuable products. Instead of discarding used billboard banners, Avbob collaborated with Upcycle, delivering their used banners to Upcycle, where the banners are ingeniously re-engineered into waterproof mattress covers. This project highlights the incredible potential of waste materials and their capacity to meet crucial needs in underprivileged areas

In many poorer communities, children and the elderly often face challenges related to incontinence, which can result in wet mattresses. When a mattress becomes wet, it can develop black mould, a serious health hazard. Traditionally, these mattresses would be discarded, contributing to waste and financial strain. The waterproof mattress covers created from billboard banners provide a durable solution, extending the life of mattresses and protecting the health of those who use them.

Billboard banners are typically made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), a material known for its durability and longevity. PVC is not biodegradable. It is a type of plastic that is designed to be durable and resistant to environmental degradation. As a result, PVC can persist in the environment for a very long time. Estimates for the decomposition of PVC range from several decades to hundreds of years, depending on environmental conditions such as exposure to sunlight, temperature, and physical abrasion.

Although PVC is challenging to recycle and often ends up in landfills not bio-degradable, its properties make it an excellent candidate for repurposing. The process of creating the mattress covers involves several steps:

Delivery: Avbob delivers used billboard banners to Upcycle. These banners can be large, sometimes up to 20 x 30 meters.

Cutting and Sizing: The banners are spread out on the floor, and workers manually cut them smaller into the size needed per mattress cover. Depending on the size of the banner for how many matrass covers are cut out of one banner.

Design and Sewing: The Mattress cover is cleverly designed, utilising one piece, sewn on one side, and with a heavy-duty industrial zip added to complete the cover. The zips are heavy duty industrial zips, and repurposed from the banner carrier bags or items that are donated by people. The banners do not fray, which means there is no need to overlock the seams. This saves on cost and speeds up the manufacturing time. The strong, industrial-grade yarn ensures the covers are durable and long-lasting.

Repurposing Off-Cuts: Any off-cuts from the banners are also repurposed into other products, such as planter bags, laptop bags, and backpacks, and more ensuring minimal waste.

Collection and distributing: Avbob collects the waterproof mattress covers from Upcycle and distribute to early childhood development centres, where they meet a significant need.

By providing these covers, we help protect mattresses from damage, reduce the incidence of mold related and other health issues, and extend the lifespan of these essential items. Moreover, this project prevents the billboard banners from ending up in landfills, where they would take years to decompose. Instead, they are given a second life, contributing positively to both the environment and the communities that receive them.

The idea for this project originated from a combination of practical needs and innovative thinking. Winnie, one of the project’s pioneers, first created a waterproof mattress cover for her grandmother using repurposed materials. Around the same time, a friend who ran a company connecting nonprofits for meaningful work partnered with Upcycle to find ways to transform billboard banners into useful products. Initially, Upcycle focused on making toys from these banners for early childhood development (ECD) centres. However, they soon realized the need to repurpose the banners on a larger scale. This led to the merging of two initiatives—developing waterproof mattress covers for old age homes and repurposing billboard banners. The result was a waterproof mattress cover made from upcycled billboard banners.

Avbob plays a crucial role by collecting the finished products from Upcycle and donating them to various centres and organizations. These donations are made at no cost to the recipients, helping communities in need and reinforcing Avbob’s commitment to social responsibility.

We invite other companies to join this initiative by donating their used banners and collaborating with Upcycle developing a useful product repurposing other waste material. This project demonstrates how corporate waste can be transformed into valuable products that benefit underprivileged communities. By partnering with Upcycle, companies can explore how their waste can be repurposed into useful items, contributing to sustainability and social good.

The repurposing of billboard banners into waterproof mattress covers is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. By turning waste into a necessity, we are not only protecting the environment but also supporting vulnerable communities. This project is a shining example of how creative solutions can address critical needs and inspire positive change. We encourage more companies to participate, helping to create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.