Schools invited to implement recycling

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Recycling is imperative and households should be putting out much less rubbish for municipal collection so as to relieve pressure on the landfill, says Monica Vaccaro of the Landmark Foundation.

In her own household they recycle to such an extent that there is no need for black bags.

In an effort to inspire the community to fully buy into recycling, the Landmark Foundation initiated the Green Schools Recycling Programme in collaboration with the George and Garden Route municipalities and LGE Waste.

"By starting with children, we hope to also create awareness of the principles among their parents. We promote the three Rs - reduce, re-use and recycle, which are virtuous philosophies to be guided by in all realms of life."

Schools have to register with the Landmark Foundation to participate in the programme.

A school that has fully embraced the programme since they joined last year, is Gracehill College. "They have become super conscious of all the waste they produce and having a recycling programme in place has helped them reduce waste to the landfill," says Vaccaro.

During a visit to the school last week, she handed over Gracehill's certificate of registration.

"During our tour of the school we were so inspired by their ideas and consistency in curbing waste, recycling everything they can and reusing items. They made a water feature where the children play for hours out of plastic bottles, they have a music corner made from everyday found materials. There is a bucket where learners throw their tissues and organic waste during breaks.

PHOTO GALLERY: Gracehill College lead the way with recycling

Ally Helling at the 'Water Works', a play area where old plastic bottles have been fitted to a fence so children can create 'waterfalls'. Photo: Monica Vaccaro

"There are clearly marked recycling stations at critical points. We were blown away. The driver is Ally Helling, the Grade 7 teacher, but the whole school and principal are behind it 100%."

VIDEO: Gracehill College reduces load on landfill

Schools who commit and register for participation are assisted in implementing a recycling system and the collection of waste.

"We mostly aim at reducing black bags going into landfill and separating the waste into different categories. The programme promotes self-sufficiency ingenuity, so we will implement it in a practical resourceful manner," says Vaccaro.

The children learn, among others, to make eco-bricks, which can be used to construct outdoor furniture such as one-seater stools for outdoor learning.

"Once the waste management is running successfully for a year, we can introduce other projects that will benefit the school such as composting, food gardens, fruit forests, tree banks and much more," Vaccaro says.

Schools that would like more information about the programme, may contact Monica Vaccaro at monica@landmarkfoundation.org.za.

Ally Helling (back), the driving force behind the recycling programme at Gracehill College with some of her learners and Monica Vaccaro of the Landmark Foundation (front left). The learners are, front from left: Aaron Robinson, John-Louis Kotzé and Emma Martin. Back: Mieke du Toit, Sahil Jeechurren, Asakhe Msane, Kean Herbst and Chad Taylor. Photos: Alida de Beer