In celebration of Global Recycling Day, observed annually on March 18, Nampak Liquid Cartons (NLC), in collaboration with Infinite Industries, donated 50 upcycled desks to Actonville Primary School.
The school received its first batch of 20 desks on March 16.
Manufactured by Infinite Industries, 80% of the material used for the desks is poly-aluminium, used liquid cartons and aluminium barrier toothpaste tubes. Each desktop is made from reconstituted liquid cartons before it is attached to a steel frame.
According to Terry van der Walt, the marketing manager at Nampak Paper and Plastic, for Global Recycling Day, they wanted an initiative that spoke to their goal of being a sustainable packaging supplier while raising awareness about the importance of recycling.
“Working with Infinite Industries allowed us to drive this message home not only for ourselves but for the learners of Actonville Primary School,” said Van der Walt.
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Maggie Bozic Infante, the co-founder of Infinite Industries, said, “It is still a widely held belief that liquid cartons cannot be recycled, and it’s a perception we are trying to change at Infinite Industries by working with organisations like Nampak Liquid Cartons.
“It is initiatives like these that help to drive home the message that materials traditionally thought of as non-recyclable can be upcycled into new materials and prevent this waste from entering our landfills.”
For over five years, Infinite Industries has worked with waste materials such as liquid cartons and converted them into various recycled products.
One such item is the recycled boards manufactured using heat and compaction. They become anything from recycled school desks and benches to roofing sheets and beehives.
The principal of Actonville Primary School, Herman Seanego, welcomed the donation.
“The desks will be an addition to our classrooms and a reminder that we all need to do our bit when it comes to recycling. Today was also a great opportunity to learn about how recycling goes beyond paper, glass or cans, and
I hope it’s a lesson our learners will carry with them always,” said Seanego.
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