Shoppers were invited to rethink waste at Greenstone Shopping Centre’s Eco Fun Day on March 16.
A children’s theatre show Reduce, Reuse and Recycle with Betty Button taught children about the need to recycle and the importance of not littering.
Other fun activities included eco planting, crafting with recyclables, learning how to make eco-bricks, paper recycling with Ronnie Recycler and cartridge disposal with Mr Cartridge from Green Office.
Local primary and nursery schools were invited to join in the green theme by making art pieces or reusable home-made items from any waste material.
Sarah-Lee Sadler from Holy Rosary School showcased her art piece called ‘Straws’.
Customers, parents and teachers voted for her piece as the best design in the centre’s recycling project.
Sarah-Lee won a R5 000 Greenstone gift card and a R5 000 Greenstone gift card for her school.
In second place was Layla Theron from Hurlyvale Primary School with her piece called ‘Recyclaville’.
In third place was Aimee Botha, who is homeschooled, with her ‘Bubble painting’ piece.
Also read: Mpact urges Bedfordview to recycle
If community members are looking for a drop-off point for their recycling refuse, they can bring it to the shopping centre.
The refuse needs to be already separated into paper, plastic, glass and cans and may be dropped off 24 hours a day.
The Greenstone centre’s recycling station can be found on the outside of the centre just behind Game.
Batteries, ink cartridges and already assembled eco-bricks can be delivered at Pick n Pay and Woolworths during trading hours.
“We hope we have inspired the community to start recycling to save the planet,” said Charmain Qofela, marketing manager of Greenstone Shopping Centre.