Recycling just got a whole lot more rewarding

The pupils at Benoni High School were buzzing with excitement at the recent launch of the Emvelo iRecycle machines at their school.

Benoni High School matric pupils with one of three Emvelo iRecycle machines that were launched at the school on August 16. They are: Jarryd Gosling (left), Megan Blazey, Brandon Horwood, Megan du Bernard and Justin Brons.

Being chosen as the first school in Africa to receive these machines, both Benoni High and the company are pleased with the initiative.

“We are the first and only school in Africa to get these machines,” said the school principal, Jake Ceronio.

“Our school is the pilot project of this initiative and we are very proud.”

The purpose of the machines is to encourage school pupils to recycle and to reward them for their efforts.

“It’s a good thing for the children,” said Ceronio.

“We are a special school with special children and the kids are very excited about this great initiative.”

Stemming from research conducted for a Grade 11 geography school project, Megan du Bernard, a Benoni High pupil, approached Emvelo iRecycle to assist her with information for her project.

“I was thinking of ways to green our school and make it environmentally friendly,” said du Bernard.

After a few talks between the company and the school, a year later the company decided to launch the project and provide the school with three machines.

“It’s been amazing; it has been five years of hard work to get it off the ground in South Africa,” said Bonnie-Louise Addington, head of operations at Emvelo

According to Addington, the company saw these machines in the United Kingdom and Germany and wanted to implement the idea in South Africa.

The machine works in three stages: pupils insert plastic bottles or cans into the machine, they submit their cellphone number or email address, they are issued with a token with a QR code, which they can then scan onto the iReact App to redeem the points for airtime, data or vouchers they can use at the tuckshop.

“It’s a good way to get people to recycle; it’s exclusive to our school which is so amazing,” said du Bernard.

Donna du Bernard, Megan’s mother, expressed how proud she was of her daughter’s efforts to reach out to Emvelo.

“I’m in awe of her commitment and maturity towards the project and her commitment to the school as head girl,” she said.

“Everything she does, she does enthusiastically.

“I am humbled and extremely proud of her; successful children excel with the support of their parents.”

Emvelo plans to launch more machines in various schools and universities all over the country, and to eventually place the machines in public spaces where the community will also be involved in this initiative to make South Africa a clean and environmentally friendly country.