Schools keep their environments clean

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) hosted a Meet and Greet event where representatives from different participating schools attended at Rabasotho Hall in Thembisa on March 3.

At least 120 primary and high schools signed up for the CCBSA Schools Recycling Programme (SRP) for 2020. This meeting was the official opening of the CCBSA SRP. Local guest artists Method R-9 and Abafana Benjabulo, were invited to perform at the event.

Pirtunia Dhlamini, public affairs and communications and sustainability manager in Gauteng CCBSA, said participating schools are challenged to keep their surrounding environment clean through waste collection and recycling.

“The intention behind the programme is to create a generation of South Africans committed to ensuring that discarded waste does not end up as litter or in a landfill site, particularly as cities run out of landfills. Through this comprehensive programme learners learn to reduce, reuse and ultimately recycle their waste to create a cleaner South Africa.

“To incentivise and drive this positive recycling behaviour throughout the programme and thereafter, awards have been built into the SRP, adding a fun competitive element to the initiative while giving learners a reason to do more in the recycling space,” said Dhlamini.

“To stand a chance to qualify for the awards, participating schools must commit to collect 1 000kg of PET a month, with those that collect a ton or more becoming eligible for prizes in addition to the revenue they get from selling the waste.

“Once the competition closes for the year, the top 10 primary schools and top five high schools undergo a rigorous adjudication process to determine the top three schools nationally. During the adjudication process, judges consider what each of the school have done to be eligible for the top three spots in the high school and primary school competition.

“The schools are judged on volumes, innovation, community involvement and the use of CCBSA educational material and how they have created awareness of the programme in the school, as well as how they see the programme improving in the future,” said Dhlamini.

“The SRP drives long-term recycling behaviour as these learners become ambassadors for the initiative at home and within their direct circle of influence, and in the longer term as they grow up and become adults driving responsible behaviour in their families and communities.”

Dhlamini also shared the project’s overview successes from the previous year to the current year across the province.

“We have 120 primary and high schools in Gauteng and over 805 schools nationwide that signed up for the Coca-Cola Beverages SA Schools Recycling Programme, and eight young people permanently employed into the programme from different communities in Gauteng.”

CCBSA’s 2019 results are: ±500 000 learners reached and ±9 500 educators reached with an 85 per cent participation rate, two CCBSA managing director’s merit awards, 9 652.03 Co2 carbon emissions saved, 2019 target was 2 672 tons, with a total collection of 3 544 tons, 51 per cent increase compared to 2 343 this time in 2018. PET total of 1 498 tons – 42 per cent of total collected, 17 336m2 landfill space saved and R1 732 211-million raised through the programme.

Mpoku Ephraim Tau, acting chief director at Gauteng Department of Education said they are excited about their relationship with the CCSA because this partnership will recreate the landscape of the environment.

“The learners will be picking up the litter and by doing so this creates a cleaner schooling environment. This will also help the municipality to remain clean and reduce the risk of waste blockading the kerb inlets and water pipes.

“Perhaps other private companies will see this as an opportunity to join hands with CCBSA and expand this programme to reach more schools in Gauteng.”

Steve Ngwane, Thembisa High School principal, said as a school they have won R32 000 of infrastructure development which was used to revamp their computer lab.

“In Gauteng last year we were first and we would love to maintain that position. We are going to make sure that we involve our communities and their parents so that we can form a partnership.

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