Successful recycling project
A school recycling programme introduced in Knysna has now spread beyond the town’s borders.
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on 10 June launched its primary school recycling programme at the St Paul’s Primary School in George after successfully introducing a similar project at Percy Mdala High School in Knysna in May this year.
The programme was launched by GRDM mayor Memory Booysen, in collaboration with the municipality’s waste management unit and their recycling mascot known as “Rocky the Recycling Rooster”.
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“Part of my teaching background is in the field of environmental science and I, therefore, understand the importance of the programme and welcome the municipality’s project at our school. We are privileged to be the first primary school in the Garden Route to be identified to pilot this project,” said principal Baron Calvert during the welcoming.
Through this programme, learners will be more likely to carry recycling habits into their adult years, while sharing it with family and friends.
They will also be able to become more aware of how their personal actions can affect the future of the environment.
Booysen urged learners to stop littering. He said the school would be able to make an income from recycling if done effectively. “Recycling companies pay for recyclables and this should also be seen as an opportunity for the school to create an additional income stream,” Booysen said.
“From today, this school will have to set an example to other schools by being the cleanest. When we come back here to see how well you have implemented the project, we will award a prize to the learner who has demonstrated and committed to change his or her behaviour.” The school was provided with 25 cardboard recycling boxes to use in various classrooms, offices and copy rooms. The boxes are easily identifiable with clear signage indicating that they are meant for recycling. “If the project goes well, the district will also offer recycling bins made for outside use,” Booysen concluded.
A similar programme was launched at Percy Mdala High School in May 2019 in which teachers and learners were introduced to the programme and the important impact recycling has on the environment.
Read a related article here: Garden Route schools guided to a greener future
Rocky the Recycling Rooster with learners shortly after the pilot recycling programme was launched. Photo: Supplied
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News