What happens to the street banners in Maple Ridge once they come down from poles? They are turned into unique accessories.
The Downtown Business Improvement Association helps recycle the fabric through partnerships with the CEED Centre Society and the Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living.
The banners get washed, cut, and transformed by a local sewing team into durable, one-of-a-kind shopping bags.
Proceeds from bag sales support BIA community partner events and programs, and help fund downtown beautification projects. It’s a simple way they try to support sustainability, local makers, and a more vibrant downtown.
The bags are sold for $10 each, or $25 for three, and multiple styles are available.
The CEED Centre’s Sewing Seedlings program provides hands-on sewing training. Participants work with industrial sewing machines while learning transferable skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and teamwork. This program plays a key role in turning banners into high-quality, long-lasting bags while supporting meaningful skill development.
Anyone interested in learning more or buying one, visit the website at downtownmapleridge.ca