Schools in Germiston and its surrounding areas are proving to be dynamic eco-warriors with their fervent commitment to recycling.
During the past few months, no less than nine schools have partnered with the Polystyrene Packaging Council (PSPC) to recycle food packaging items made from polystyrene.
Laerskool Germiston, Laerskool Elsburg and Ons Ark Nursery School were the first schools to receive specially marked bins from the PSPC for the collection of bread tags (used for the “Bread tags for wheelchairs project”), yoghurt tubs and plastic cutlery which get recycled for the Tutu Desk project.
Since then, six more schools in the area have joined them in their collection efforts, namely: Sunshine Kids, Tic Toc, Ladybird, Teddie Bears, Ducktails and Happy Kids.
“Our schools have well and truly caught the recycling bug,” said Teresa Botes of Ons Ark Nursery School.
“The children and parents are passionate about making a difference in the lives of people who are less fortunate, through the simple act of recycling.
“It is wonderful to know that we are preventing waste from going to landfill, while at the same time helping somebody ‘purchase’ a wheelchair or get a lap desk that will be used for school work in areas where there is a dire need for school desks on which to work.”
According to Adri Spangenberg, a director of the PSPC, Germiston is fast becoming one of the shining examples of areas with successful recycling communities, thanks to the involvement of local schools and recycling companies such as Remade Recycling, who are willing to partner with local schools, organisations and individual collectors.
“Polystyrene is a highly recyclable material that is used for a variety of different applications, ranging from picture frames to seedling trays.
“However, due to the fact that the material is made of 80 per cent air, it is very light in weight.
“Recycling collectors are, therefore, understandably hesitant to collect the material from households as they will in effect be transporting air.
“We therefore have to partner with schools and communities who are willing to collect large amounts of the material for us, in order to make it worthwhile for collectors to pick it up and take it away for recycling,” said Spangenberg.
Residents of Germiston and its surrounding areas who are keen to recycle their polystyrene and other plastics, can contact Mike Bills of Remade Recycling on 011 873-6545, or drop off their clean, dry recyclables at 18 James Bright Avenue, Driehoek.
For more information about polystyrene recycling, visit www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za or visit www.mywaste.co.za to find a map of recycling drop off sites around the country.
