Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) Schools Recycling Programme approaches 10 000 tons of recyclable material collected across the country.
The schools recycling programme has worked with over 866 schools and over 700 000 learners around the country to successfully remove and contribute to the recycling of over 9111 tons of waste from the environment in just 10 years.
The programme started in 2011 and is committed to creating a waste-free South Africa, in line with Coca Cola’s global commitment to creating a world without waste by 2030.
“While our ability to roll out our school’s recycling programme was slowed significantly due to Covid-19, the ability to reach the collection levels we have, is a testament to the importance of starting the recycling journey at an early age,” said Nozicelo Ngcobo public affairs, communication and sustainability director of the CCBSA.
“The programme has especially been effective due to the commitment of the teachers and learners to involve the community and their families, proving that building a culture of recycling is a unified effort.”
The programme also creates young ambassadors for environmental stewardship at home and within their direct circle of influence, driving responsible behaviour in their families and communities. At the end of each year, the awards recognises the best performing schools, based on the amount of waste collected.
The top schools receive prize money that goes towards upgrading their school facilities, over and above the revenue they earn during the year from selling waste for recycling. During the rigorous adjudication process, judges consider not only how much waste each school has collected, but also how they have involved communities and parents in their recycling initiatives.
Ngcobo said the programme’s intention is to involve young South Africans directly in the mission of ensuring that discarded waste does not end up as litter or on a landfill site, and schools, therefore, perfect partners.
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