Wildlands has successfully rolled out similar projects in KwaZulu-Natal and iWYZE has now partnered with the NGO to make the first Gauteng implementation possible.
Says Willem Smith, CE of iWYZE vluables insurance: "As a member of the Old Mutual Group, iWYZE is committed to social development and investing in our local communities. When it came to our own social investment activities, iWYZE wanted to be involved in a project that would allow us to make a difference in communities themselves, at a grass-roots level. When we learned about the Wildlands Conservation Trust's recycling programme, it seemed an obvious choice."
"The fact that Wildlands is already running a successful recycling programme in Kwa-Zulu Natal at various schools and shopping centres encourages us to believe that this project will do just as well in Gauteng. 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," Smith adds.
Monde Primary School in Katlehong was a good fit for the iWYZE team as the school is already considered an eco-school and has a multitude of eco-projects 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. With this in place, we have no doubt that this school will become ambassadors for recycling," says Smith.
Much of all household waste is recyclable and instead of throwing it away 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 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, 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," says Smith.
