Vulamasango Primary unveils eco-bench made from plastic bottles in Lekazi
More than 10 000 PET bottles collected during a municipal recycling challenge have been repurposed into eco-bricks for local school infrastructure.
Vulamasango Primary School celebrated an environmental milestone on Friday, August 14, with the launch and handover of an eco-bench constructed from recycled 2-litre PET bottles.
The eco-bench was the result of a school competition initiated by the City of Mbombela’s environmental management division and its stakeholders. The competition, which formed part of the municipality’s annual World Environment Day activities, challenged primary schools to collect 2-litre PET bottles. It encouraged learners to take practical action towards protecting the environment while promoting recycling and responsible waste management.
ALSO READ: Newtown Library opens in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
Among the ten primary schools that participated in the challenge, learners collected an impressive 10 598 2-litre bottles within two weeks.
Vulamasango Primary collected the highest number of bottles and hosted the 2026 World Environment Day celebration on June 26.
Eco-bricks give waste second life
One significant prize was the construction of an eco-bench using the collected bottles. They were filled with non-biodegradable material and used as eco-bricks in the construction of the bench, giving waste material a useful second life.
The project demonstrated how everyday waste can be transformed into something practical and meaningful. Instead of the bottles ending up as litter, in landfill sites or polluting rivers, they were collected, repurposed and incorporated into a permanent structure at the school.
Learners promote environmental action
The initiative provided an opportunity for learners to engage with environmental stakeholders and strengthen their understanding of environmental responsibility. During the World Environment Day celebration, Vulamasango learners participated in an environmental awareness engagement under the theme ‘Inspired by Nature, for Climate, for Our Future’.
ALSO READ: MEC Leah Mabuza encourages Bushbuckridge women to stand up for their rights
The eco-bench launch and handover represented more than the completion of a construction project. It stands as a reminder that environmental protection begins with simple actions.
