POLOKWANE – TRT Waste and Consulting presented a Stop Littering talk for the learners at the Westenburg school recently in a quest to help stop land pollution and degradation.
The group of young environmentalists said they want to play their part In assisting to keep the city of Polokwane clean which is stipulated in a programme called Zero Waste (Polokwane Declaration). This decision prompted them to start TRT Waste and Consulting, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and recruit primary school learners to join the movement.
REVIEW spoke to the learners to find out if they understand the importance of keeping the environment clean and what waste is.
Myron Bethshanger.
Myron Bethshanger said waste is anything that is no longer needed and is thrown away. He said at his home when food is spoiled and no longer good for consumption his parents take the food and pour it in the garden so it can turn into fertiliser for their planted fruits and vegetables.
Kamogelo Ramotlou said: “Waste is anything that is thrown out in the dustbin such as paper, wood, cans and plastic but our teacher says we must always try to use things two times like bottles, jars and cold drink cans. My mum puts things like pens and pencils in peanut butter jars and flowers in glass cold drink bottles to decorate the table. Sometimes my father takes old scrap metal and wood he finds in the streets to make nice cupboards and wooden chairs for the kitchen,” he explained
Motoko Sefolo said that she is going to encourage her friends and family to stop littering as they are causing land pollution. “When the land is polluted we will get sick as we will have flies which transport opportunistic diseases. We must live in a clean environment so we can be healthy and enjoy life,” she explained.
Dante Ramotlou said he learned a lot about waste management and all the different types of waste. He added he will no longer throw papers on the floor as that would make him a “Litter Bug”.
TRT Waste and Consulting said they will visit other schools in the province to encourage the learners to keep the environment clean.
