Since last year, 937 tons of waste have been diverted from the landfill thanks to the tireless efforts of local schools and waste pickers — a huge win for the environment and a step towards a cleaner Buffalo City.
DNF Waste and Environmental Services’ annual schools recycling programme, supported by Polyco and the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) kicked off in 2021 and, since then, close to 30 schools have been part of the mission to increase recycling in the city.
The programme has seen schools collectively recycle 89,255kg of waste which has helped to conserve the city’s natural resources, minimise the release of greenhouse gases and reduce the pressure placed on the beleaguered Roundhill landfill site.
Between 2021-2025 waste pickers in the city have managed to divert 5,9-million kg of waste from the landfill. They are the unsung heroes of recycling given their efforts contribute more than R1bn to the SA economy.
On May 23, an award ceremony was held for the schools and waste pickers leading the recycling charge. The top three schools and top three waste pickers (vendors) were awarded Shoprite vouchers, cash prizes sponsored by Leaderpak and valuable infrastructure such as ECO tanks, bin stations and recycling bag stands.
Vendor Nomveliso Ngaka took first place this year after collecting 33,371kg of waste and credits recycling for providing her with a source of income during the times when money to raise her children as a single mom was scarce.
Ngaka said: “I have been collecting for about a year. It wasn’t easy at first because I was anxious about what would people say, but I realised that when they made fun of me, it only fuelled me to work even harder consistently.
“Last year I closed off the year with R4,600 in vouchers from recycled glass bottles and this year I’ve made R5,100. It brings me joy to know that I can support my family through recycling.
“I always carry a black plastic bag with me wherever I go, in case I see recyclables to collect. Some people look at me oddly and think I’m crazy but I know what I’m working toward.”
Lilyfontein Schools took first place for 2024-2025, having collected 4,599kg of recyclables closely followed by Greenpoint High School with 4,460kg and Buffalo Flats Primary School in third place with 3,673kg.
Lilyfontein’s marketing manager Anne-Lise Bollaert-Davies said recycling is baked into the culture of the Lilyfontein, as parents also divert their household recyclable waste to the school. The school expanded its recycling programme in the last few years to include plastics and glass to increase the volume of their recyclables.
Lilyfontein has an active eco-club and a designated teacher with committed parents spearheading it.
Bollaert-Davis said: “Our recycling initiative has evolved with the participation of parents and staff. Recycling is a lifestyle here, which makes us hopeful about the future.
“We hope to see more schools join the programme, to make a great impact in diverting waste from the landfill.”
Greenpoint High’s principal Jeremy Martin said being part of the schools recycling programme had inspired the pupils to take environmental responsibility seriously and led to the development of a flower garden outside the school office.
Greenpoint pupil Davienne Windvogel said: “Being part of the programme opened my eyes to how small actions such as separating our waste can lead to big change. I hope to explore a career in recycling after school.”
Buffalo Flats Primary School’s Raymond Lewis said: “Placing third is an achievement that has had a transformative effect. Our pupils see themselves as active agents of change.
“One of our pupils expressed it best: ‘It feels good being part of something that will bring change’.”
IWMSA Eastern Cape chair Mervin Olivier said the efforts undertaken by the schools and waste pickers mitigate the harmful impact of dumping across the city, increases the lifespan of the landfill site and assists the municipality in saving costs for transporting waste.
Olivier said: “The growth in recycling from schools and waste pickers shows that more people are taking an active interest in ensuring we live in a cleaner city. Our communities are realising that there is a value to solid waste. We need to see a collaborative approach to integrated waste management in BCM.”
The schools recycling programme hopes to recruit 100 schools into the initiative in the next three years. To find out more, visit their Facebook page: DNF Waste & Environmental Services.
