Waste management campaign helps raise awareness
Through the campaign the message of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle was instilled.
A recent waste management campaign in the City of Johannesburg sparked children’s creativity as they were taken through elements of managing waste.
A closing celebration was held on May 5 at the Orange Farm Multipurpose Centre to celebrate the success of the campaign that began in April.
The campaign is an initiative by the city’s Environmental Health Department that is aimed at raising awareness about proper waste management and its benefits to health, the economy, and the environment.
“This was all about turning waste into art through dances, portraits, speeches, and fashion items,” explained Tlhompho Mabukela, an environmental health practitioner and one of the facilitators of the event.
“It was exciting and internal departments like Pikitup, CRUM, NGOs, and learners attended. The learners were excited to travel to the event, perform and were inspired and amazed by the Environmental Health Departmental stalls with waste art and health education provided,” said Mabukela.
He was also excited about the outcome of the campaign. “I am grateful that these schools inspired each other, regardless of background. They were educated about environmental health and waste management in particular and can help resolve waste management problems in their communities today and in the future,” Mabukela added.
Ntombifuthi Maseko, the deputy director of environmental health, said the campaign was about instilling the message of reduce, reuse and recycle.
“The campaign aims to reduce illegal dumping, promote proper waste management practices, and educate children about waste management so that they can become environmental activists for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Maseko.
Maseko added that the campaign focused on primary schools. A total of 18 schools across the regions were part of the campaign.
“The campaign is in line with the city’s priority number one, which is a city that gets the basics right by promoting cleaner environments, safeguarding inhabitants’ health and enhancing their quality of life,” she said.
