Local schools participate in recycling competition

Tetra Pak, in collaboration with Orange Grove, RFG Foods, and Woodlands Dairy, successfully concluded the 2024 Recycle Carton School Competition, celebrating the innovative spirit of schools in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape.

Laerskool Edleen finished second by collecting 798.41kg of cartons.

The initiative, aimed at educating learners about the importance of recycling, Tetra Pak carton packaging saw over 320 participating schools take collective responsibility for a cleaner environment, with 300 000 learners taking part and collecting over 1.6 million cartons.

ALSO READ: NPO uplifts needy through recycling

The competition, held from September to November 2024, inspired young minds to sort, collect, and recycle waste, demonstrating the transformation of recycled materials into items like benches, desks, roof tiles, and outdoor furniture.

Apart from entrenching a greater understanding of the environmental benefits of recycling, the winning schools in each region secured R25 000 towards school equipment and 40 desks made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons.
The second and third prizes received R10 000 and R5 000, respectively.

Additionally, top-performing schools nominated underprivileged schools in their communities to receive 40 recycled desks, expanding the initiative’s impact.

The Gauteng schools include Lakeside Primary School from Boksburg which claimed the top spot after collecting 1 703.84kg of cartons, Laerskool Edleen from Kempton Park came second after collecting 798.41kg of cartons and Drommedaris Primary School from Boksburg which came third after collecting 474.04kg of cartons.

Tetra Pak’s managing director of Southern Africa, Klaus Plenge, says the campaign has been a success.

“This campaign is about more than recycling. It is about fostering lifelong environmental stewardship.

“By teaching learners about recycling and the value of recycled products, we are equipping the next generation to protect our planet.

ALSO READ: Unlocking the ABCs of glass recycling

“We thank our customers for partnering with us on this journey of recycling liquid board packaging (LBP).

“Their collaboration has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward and making a meaningful impact,” he said.

The 2023 competition involved 20,429 learners and resulted in the collection of 273,482 waste cartons.

The significantly expanded 2024 campaign, which reached a far greater number of learners, has further amplified these efforts.

Earlier this year, Tetra Pak received the prestigious Petco Award for environmental education and awareness.

ALSO READ: Plastic recycling in the spotlight this World Environmental Day

Sue Durham, Orange Grove sales and marketing director said they are proud of their young recycling heroes and the schools who partnered with them to encourage sustainable habits that contribute to a cleaner, greener future for everyone.

“The campaign impact goes beyond the teachers and the learners and extends to families and communities, inspiring them to take action to recycle,” said Job Mpele, commercial director of RFG Foods.