Source: The Observers / Patty Arnold
The “Bag Ladies”, as they are nicknamed, started their initiative to turn plastic bags into mattresses in January 2015 at the Second Baptist Church, an evangelical church in Union City.
The person who launched this programme is Randy Pool, who works withMississippi River Ministry, an organisation that brings together several Baptist churches in the area to work on volunteer projects.
“I’m not sure who had the original idea, but it’s become a popular activity among women in the Baptist community,” Pool said. “I thought it was a great idea so I started talking about it to churchgoers in my region, especially in Union City.”

The mattresses made by the “Bag Ladies” from Union City, Tennessee. Photo: Second Baptist Church, Union City.
“We’ve already recycled more than 100,000 bags and made 165 mattresses”