Stellenbosch schools are becoming greener thanks to a partnership between Fibre Circle, Stellenbosch Municipality and the Zithande Mzansi Schools Programme.
The Green Schools Recycling Initiative was officially relaunched last Thursday (29 May) when local learners and various stakeholders met at the Stellenbosch Town Hall. Through the Green Schools initiative teachers are equipped with tools and knowledge to instill a culture of environmental responsibility.
According to Gaybreline Swartz, a Grade 10 learner, she knew a bit about recycling before attending the launch. “I realised there is still a lot to learn. I didn’t know milk cartons could be recycled, but I will start working within my community to do more to recycle,” she relates.
It is revelations like these that Edith Leeuta, CEO of Fibre Circle, hopes becomes part of the learners’ day-to-day thinking. “We are excited and proud to participate in this initiative, which also aims to compliment the efforts already being done by the local municipality to encourage being green. Collaboration is so important; by working through partnership we can make a real impact on the school community and, in turn, the community at large,” she says.
Leeuta believes it takes change in head, heart and hands to truly make an impact.
The original Green Schools programme laid the foundation for recycling and sustainability education in schools. Fibre Circle expanded on this model through a successful pilot project, providing three recycling bins and educational support to Weber Gedenk Primary School in Jamestown.
The results highlighted the programme’s potential to be scaled and replicated. The 12 schools, including Khayamandi and Stellenzicht high schools among others, that are part of the relaunch, received colour-coded recycling bins, educational materials aligned with the national curriculum, and ongoing training for teachers and learners alike, and scheduled recyclable waste collection by the municipality.
Reducing and recycling waste in Stellenbosch is an important commitment as the Stellenbosch Municipality recently opened the last cell of its current landfill. According to Clayton Hendricks, the municipality’s senior manager of Waste Management, the aim is to lengthen the lifetime of the cell for as long as possible. The hope is that being green becomes second nature for learners and that less recyclables make its way to landfills.
Grade 10 learner Conique Jones was aware of recycling before the launch, but didn’t realise the impact it can have on future generations. “We need to do much more to recycle and tell more people about it because of the negative impact our waste will have on future generations,” Conique urges.
Kayden Goliath, a Grade 8 learner at Groendal Secondary, she believes recycling could help address pollution in her community.
Along with the many advantages of recycling, Leeuta says the economic benefits recycling has shouldn’t be overlooked. “One man’s waste is another’s treasure. There is value in waste. Collecting, cleaning and selling waste has led to the establishment of waste entrepreneurs. Our vision is to create a formal system which can ease trading and help address critical issues in our communities, like unemployment.”
• Fibre Circle and its partners welcome additional support, both logistical and educational, to ensure the programme’s successful adoption and longevity. Should your business wish to get involved, contact them by sending an email to info@fibercircle.co.za.
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