Mashemong Primary learners become plastic recycling ambassadors

Twelve learners from Mashemong Primary School were recognised for being the top plastic waste collectors in their community as part of Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics’ ‘Project Butterfly’ clean-up competition and environmental learning day.

The competition aimed to encourage learners to play an active role in keeping their surroundings clean by collecting plastic that could be transformed into something useful.

In collaboration with waste collecting experts from Project Butterfly partner Destination Green, each learner collected kilos of waste at source, with a particular focus on plastic for recycling.

Working with Destination Green, the plastics were collected, sorted and distributed to local recyclers.

The 12 winning learners were recently invited to a day of fun and learning, starting at the Dow Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, where they received certificates and prizes for being the top collectors.

Dow South Africa representatives gave interactive presentations on the importance of recycling, becoming recycling ambassadors in their community, and the many uses of plastics and packaging.

The learners then visited the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, a world-class science centre that supports maths, science and technology education through dynamic learning experiences.

The learners took the opportunity to participate in an array of activities, from science experiments in the Dow-sponsored chemical lab, to building the walls of a small house using styrofoam bricks, to generating electricity from vigorous bicycle pedalling.

Project Butterfly winner Kabelo Magopa said, “I am so excited to be a Project Butterfly Ambassador, and I am already encouraging my friends and family to pick up waste in our community and to start recycling plastic, because it is really valuable and you can even reuse it.”

According to Javier Constante of Dow Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), “Through Project Butterfly, Dow not only aims to teach the leaders of tomorrow the value of our planet’s resources, but to create young recycling ambassadors who will lead impactful change within their communities. This social impact project is specific to Dow and to Africa, to show Dow Packaging’s commitment to the region as well as to gain an understanding of the waste management and end-of-life packaging challenges facing the different regions in Africa.”

Alessandro Corticelli, also of Dow EMEA, explains, “It was important for us to partner with grass-roots organisations locally, dealing with end-of-life packaging, and to empower them through resources, visibility and influence.”

Craig Arnold, president of Dow Sub-Saharan Africa, notes, “We at Dow recognise our role in ensuring that our products are disposed of in a responsible and sustainable way. Project Butterfly is an important part of this, and so we will also ensure that this initiative receives the necessary support to make an impact across the continent.”