As the festive season gets underway and households stock up on cold drinks, water, and refreshments for family gatherings, the Brackendowns CPF is encouraging residents to turn everyday waste into a meaningful contribution to the community.

The Brackendowns CPF is currently running a plastic bottle cap collection drive aimed at supporting its Youth Crime Prevention Desk while raising funds for a recycled bench at the Brackendowns Police Station.

According to Roxy Scholtz of Brackendowns CPF, the initiative was inspired by a desire to make a tangible difference in the community.

“Making a difference in our community has always been the main goal of the CPF Youth Desk and our patrollers.

“We started thinking of ways to recycle and sell plastic bottle caps to purchase a recycled bench for our Brackendowns Police Station,” said Scholtz.

With more cold drinks being consumed during the festive season, Scholtz said this is the perfect time for residents to start saving their plastic caps instead of throwing them away.

“It’s about showing our Youth Desk that by working together, they can make a difference.

“If we want to see change, we have to become the change.

“Change the way you see things and better your surroundings,” she said.

The project, which started around June, will continue until enough caps have been collected to reach the fundraising goal.

The bench will provide a place to sit for patrollers and residents who spend time at the police station.

Residents can donate soda bottle caps and other hard plastic caps by dropping them off at any Brackendowns CPF sector meeting or by contacting Roxy Scholtz at 071 556 0723 or Kim at 073 908 5230.

The initiative has already gained momentum.

The CPF completed its first delivery to recyclers on December 12, collecting 130kg of plastic bottle caps.

The recycling partner for the project is BDS Plastico in Germiston.

Community support continues to grow, with schools and local businesses joining the effort.

Revival City College is one of the schools supporting the project and contributed several boxes and plastic bags filled with bottle caps, which were collected by the Brackendowns CPF on December 8.

“The community is slowly finding out about our project and getting involved,” said Scholtz.

While the CPF is not planning to expand the project to include other recyclable items due to limited resources and space, the long-term vision remains focused on giving back.

“Once we’ve reached our goal, we’ll help and donate to others, collecting caps for causes such as the wheelchair initiative,” she said.

Scholtz added that involving young people in sustainability projects helps them appreciate the environment and find joy in contributing positively to their community, especially during a season centred on giving.