Purpose Recycling launches school recycling programme

The recently appointed MEC for Environment, Ewan Botha, joined Purpose Recycling (PR) and partners to celebrate Mandela Day and launch the Purposeful School Recycling Programme (PPSRP) at Don Mateman, Eldorado Park.

Through this initiative, PR and sponsors Fibre Circle, Polyco, the Electrical Waste Association of South Africa, and Metpac teach primary school learners about waste separation, recycling and environmental health.

Due to the limited capacity to implement the program at all schools simultaneously, the PSRP will initially launch at five primary schools: Heerengracht, Eldridge, Kliptown, McBain Charles, and Boekenhout.

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Each participating school has already received recycling bins and educational reading material on recycling.

PR project manager Shannon Boer said that although they had partnered with the school to do waste collection for the past two years, there was no programme to teach learners about recycling, hence the launch of the PSRP.

“We need the children to be involved if we want to see change in our environment. We must start teaching them from a young age, so that they never forget even when they are older,” Boer said.

He explained that PR’s mission is to promote recycling, create an economy from waste and prevent waste from ending up in landfill sites.

“If our children learn about all the different types of recyclables, including organic waste, metals, glass, plastic, paper and electronics, we can work towards zero waste to landfill.

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“A clean environment will mean no illegal dumping sites because people will realise that waste has value. It is not only about the money, it’s about creating a cleaner environment,” he added.

Gauteng landfill sites on Botha’s radar

Eldorado Park residents are among those affected by air pollution and water contamination caused by landfill sites, especially those in Ext 2, as the area is near the Goudkoppies landfill site, which has operated for 30 years.

Botha said it was no secret that most of Gauteng’s landfill sites are reaching capacity.

“The government is looking at ways to divert waste away from these sites. Recycling is not only vital for easing pressure on Gauteng’s landfill sites, but it also plays a key role in improving air quality, creating jobs and unlocking a multi-billion-rand industry.

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“Our department is focused on regulating the sector, supporting buy-back centres and ensuring waste is diverted from landfill,” Botha said.

He said there is a court order to close the Goudkoppies landfill site. The closure and rehabilitation of the landfill remain a priority, with strict monitoring now underway to prevent further burning plastics and pollution, he added.
He also stated that his department was dedicated to ensuring cleanup efforts associated with major events, such as the G20, are sustainable, so communities can benefit long after the attention has shifted.

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