Local schools win big for recycling
The winning schools in each region secured R25,000 towards school equipment and 40 desks made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons.
Over 300 000 students from 320 schools in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape participated in Tetra Pak’s 2024 Recycle Carton School Competition, collecting over 1.6 million cartons between September and November.
The initiative, supported by Orange Grove, RFG Foods and Woodlands Dairy, aimed to educate students on the importance of recycling Tetra Pak carton packaging and foster environmental awareness.
The campaign encouraged young learners to sort, collect, and recycle waste, showcasing how recycled materials can be repurposed into items such as benches, desks, roof tiles, and outdoor furniture.
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Participating schools competed for prizes, with regional winners receiving R25 000 for school equipment and 40 desks made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons.
Second- and third-place winners were awarded R10 000 and R5 000, respectively.
Additionally, top-performing schools nominated underprivileged schools to receive 40 recycled desks, broadening the initiative’s impact.
In Gauteng, standout participants included Lakeside Primary School (Boksburg), Laërskool Edleen (Kempton Park), and Drommedaris Primary School (Boksburg).
Tetra Pak Southern Africa managing director Klaus Plenge celebrated the programme’s success.
“This campaign is about more than recycling; it’s about fostering lifelong environmental stewardship.
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“By teaching learners the recycling process and the value of recycled products, we’re equipping the next generation to protect our planet,” he said.
Plenge noted the campaign’s exponential growth from 2023, when it engaged 20 429 learners and collected 273 482 cartons, to this year’s significantly expanded effort.
Tetra Pak also received the prestigious Petco Award earlier this year for its environmental education and awareness initiatives.
Tetra Pak further demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by hosting a tour of Gayatri Paper Mills and Mpact Recycling facilities in Germiston, showcasing advancements in liquid board packaging (LBP) recycling.
“The impact of this campaign extends beyond schools, influencing families and communities to adopt sustainable habits,” said Plenge.
“We are proud of our young recycling heroes who are driving positive change for a cleaner, greener future.”
