An exciting recycling initiative was launched in the Katorus and Greater Alberton areas, which will initially be piloted by Monde School in Kathelong and will provide surrounding communities with the facilities to recycle.

Adding sustainability to local communities
iWYZE valuables insurance, in partnership with the Wildlands Conservation Trust, launched this initiative on 17 October 2011, which will provide surrounding communities with the facilities to recycle, and reward the schools for recycling efforts. Wildlands has successfully rolled out similar projects in KwaZulu-Natal and the insurance company has now partnered with the NGO to make the first Gauteng implementation possible. “The fact that Wildlands is already running a successful recycling programme in KwaZulu-Natal at various schools and shopping centres encourages us to believe that this project will do just as well in Gauteng,” says Willem Smith, CE of iWYZE. “Based on results from Wildland’s current projects, we hope to be able to roll it out to the broader community, starting in the New Year.”

Monde Primary School in Katlehong was a good fit for the team as the school is already considered an eco-school with a multitude of eco-projects already in place. The school has an eco-council, overseeing initiatives such as bird watching clubs, a full vegetable garden and the rehabilitation of indigenous trees in the area – evident that the school is already on route to becoming ambassadors for the environment.
Instead of throwing away household waste so that it ends up in a landfill, members of the community will now be able to deposit their waste at a central point. Recycling villages, comprising eight different types of bins – each one labelled for a specific type of waste material (including paper, polystyrene, plastic, cans and glass) – have been set up at the pilot school. Parents, pupils and members of the community will be encouraged to separate their waste into the different categories and deliver it to the recycling village at the school.

Not only will this initiative help the community with its recycling efforts but there is also a direct benefit to the school itself. Each school will receive a 40% rebate on the recyclables collected, valued according to weight. This money can then be used to improve the school’s facilities, which in turn will benefit the children.