- Rouxville Primary School launched a recycling programme inspired by Grade 7 students who learned about sustainability.
- Supported by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, the programme includes composting and recycling collection points throughout the school.
- The initiative also involves the local community and has motivated students to take active steps toward environmental change.
Rouxville Primary School’s commitment to environmental responsibility has reached new heights with the launch of a comprehensive recycling programme.
Teacher Keenan Daniels said the initiative started when a few Grade 7 learners (prefects) attended the Smart Living course at the Two Oceans Aquarium, where they learned about the importance of sustainability and human impact on the environment.
“Inspired by this, they returned to school and initiated a recycling programme to help improve their environment, within the school and the surrounding community.
“One of the highlights of this programme was receiving generous sponsorship from the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP), which provided color-coded bins for the school,’’ Daniels said.
The bins are strategically placed around the school to manage and sort recyclable materials. The GTP also helps collect recyclables, such as plastics, paper, and glass, which are processed properly.
The school’s organic waste is being used in a thermal composting heap to create compost for the school’s garden, which supports the school’s Environmental Club’s activities.
They also contribute to the Wheelchair Project by collecting bread tags and bottle caps for wheelchairs for those in need.
“This initiative has captured the hearts of our learners, as they actively collect these small items, knowing the significant impact they can have on someone’s life,” said Daniels.
“To ensure everyone was on board, the prefects arranged a school assembly where they spoke to the learners, teachers, and ground staff about the importance of recycling.
“They explained how the process works and how every bit of effort counts toward creating a greener environment. The learners also demonstrated how organic waste is composted and how plastics, glass, and paper are sorted and disposed of properly.”
Assist
The Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI), located next to Rouxville Primary, took notice of their recycling programme’s success.
“They decided to join forces with us and have become an integral part of the initiative, providing additional bins and further support. This collaboration strengthens our efforts and allows us to take the recycling programme to the next level,” said Daniels.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that we will assist fellow high schools in launching their recycling programmes, with the backing of the GTP. The GTP has also agreed to provide training to ensure the programmes run smoothly and effectively.
“With the support of our learners, staff, and community partners, we are making great strides toward a more sustainable future. Our recycling programme is just the beginning of a larger movement to create a positive and lasting impact on the environment, at school and beyond,” Daniels said.
