Yonela Mngqibisa from the City’s Urban Waste Management’s Public Education and Awareness chats to Westlake Primary School pupils on recycling and protecting the environment.
Image: supplied
The City’s Urban Waste Management Public Education and Awareness team visited Westlake Primary School on Global Recycling Day, celebrated on March 18, to discuss the vital role that both pupils and staff can play in protecting the environment for future generations.
Sharing tips and reminders about reducing and diverting waste from landfills, pupils learnt how they can creatively use litter for functional purposes by creating eco-bricks to create furniture such as chairs, tables and book shelves to benefit the schools.
“Like many other communities, littering remains a concern in Westlake,” says Westlake Primary School principal Tracey Petersen-Brown.
“At school, we believe that fostering environmental responsibility from a young age is key to addressing this challenge.
“Teaching our learners about recycling and waste management empowers them to make informed choices that contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. The visit by the Urban Waste Management team was both insightful and inspiring for our learners. They gained a deeper understanding of the importance of recycling, reducing waste, and disposing of litter responsibly. Their enthusiasm and curiosity highlights the potential for long-term behavioral change, not just within the school but in their homes and broader community as well.
"The visit has reinforced the school’s commitment to environmental education,” says Ms Petersen-Brown.
“As a school, we actively promote cleanliness and environmental awareness through daily routines and initiatives. We have regular clean-up campaigns, and classroom discussions on sustainability. Additionally, we encourage learners to take ownership of their surroundings by participating in environmental clubs and leadership programs that emphasize the importance of maintaining a litter-free school.”
The City’s Urban Waste Management team is on a year-round mission to drive enthusiasm for the environment, and motivate the younger generation to dispose of waste responsibly and recycle, turning waste into opportunities, says Mayoral committee member for urban waste management, Grant Twigg.
“Our society is burdened by waste so innovation and creativity are absolutely critical to reduce waste to the levels we need to be sustainable. All of us generate waste so all of us have the collective responsibility to manage it correctly, and reduce it as much as possible, through initiatives such as recycling,”
He encouraged residents to check if they fall in the catchment of the City’s kerbside recycling collection service known as Think Twice. This can be found on the City’s updated waste recyclers map. The map also gives details of local recycling companies or initiatives that may be used as an alternative, if you do not yet benefit from the City’s service.