Thanks to the annual DNF Waste & Environment Services schools’ recycling programme, 30 schools across the city collectively managed to divert 34.5 tonnes of recyclable waste from the landfill with Lilyfontein Schools bringing in the bulk of this recyclable waste having collected 5,164kg for 2023/24.
Lilyfontein was followed closely by Stirling High School with 4,032kg and Greenpoint High School at 3,859kg.
The top three schools won cash prizes from LeaderPak and Rose Foundation as well as eco-assets from Polyco and Eco-Tanks among others.
The other participating schools all won certificates to confirm their contribution towards recycling.
Founded in 2021, the schools’ recycling programme, conceptualised by DNF and conducted in partnership with Call2Action and the Institute of Waste Management of SA, has since raised 55,465kg in recyclable waste while instilling a culture of recycling among pupils. Over 12 months, 30 schools are selected to act as drop-off sites for parents and communities to drop off their recyclables.
The schools are supplied with green and yellow wheelie bins from the municipality which in turn are filled with a minimum of 200kg of waste. The waste is weighed, and the school is provided with Packaching e-vouchers which can be converted into goods or cash to benefit the school.
The schools received R14,071 in rebates for 2023/24.
DNF director Deidre Nxumalo-Freeman said the programme had galvanised schools towards participating in other competitions.
She said: “The response has been exceptional.
“There is still room for expansion to other schools, but we need the commitment from all involved to separate the waste and increase the volumes of recyclable waste collected.”
Lilyfontein’s principal Nic Els said: “Participation in the competition has reinforced an ongoing awareness of the importance of recycling and for taking responsibility for one’s own waste.”
“Pupils are now informed advocates for recycling and are actively taking care of our planet,” the teacher in charge of the eco committee and club, Illze Potgieter said.
Stirling High School’s eco-club teacher Illse Kemp said: “Recycling educates our pupils about environmental stewardship.
“We receive e-vouchers and the students have an input in what we do with the vouchers we receive. The money we receive is put back into the recycling system.”
