Schools recycling programme

This quarter reminded us once again that school recycling is about far more than waste collection. It is about building habits, inspiring responsibility, creating opportunity, and helping schools become active spaces of environmental care. Through awareness sessions, educational support materials, recycling collections, community clean-up campaigns, and continued stakeholder engagement, the Isphepho Schools Education and Recycling Programme continued to grow in both reach and value.

Issued by KAP

22 May 2026

The quarter also brought exciting momentum through initiatives designed to strengthen participation and ownership. The introduction of the school rebate model created a stronger link between recycling efforts and direct school benefit, while learner-centred activities, such as the PET Eco Broom Competition, helped spark greater excitement around collection. New recognition efforts, including the support staff competition, are also helping to encourage better care of recycling resources, stronger separation practices, and more consistent day-to-day participation at school level.

What continues to stand out most is the commitment shown by schools, educators, learners, support staff, and partners who keep the programme moving forward. Every recyclable material collected, every awareness session delivered, every competition introduced, and every clean-up completed contributes to something bigger, cleaner schools, stronger environmental habits, and communities that are increasingly active in caring for their surroundings. We are truly grateful to everyone who continues to walk this journey with us.

Together, these efforts continue to show that when schools and communities move with purpose, recycling becomes more than an activity, it becomes a culture.

Schools enrolled: Total 116 schools are enrolled in Isphepho S@S Programme.
Material recovered: Approximately 50 tonnes
Learners reached: Over 60 000 reached across 93 schools.

Rural school: Nwabi High School – 2,068.29 kg
Township school: Ndukwenhle High School – 4,181.39 kg
Urban school: Durban East Primary School – 1,568.39 kg

Programme highlights

Recognising performance, participation and school-level leadership.

Quarter 1 programme highlights:

Recycling education support materials, including age-appropriate '5Ws of Recycling' brochures and video content, were shared with schools to strengthen ongoing awareness and classroom engagement.
School recycling collections continued across the programme, helping schools remain active in Separation at Source.
New participation initiatives, including the school rebate model, PET Eco Broom Competition, and support staff competition, were introduced to encourage stronger involvement and ownership at school level.
Support engagements were facilitated with programme champions, principals, and schools to strengthen participation and enhance programme quality.
Recycling resources were refreshed in selected schools to support continued participation and improve Programme visibility.
Community clean-up campaigns were carried out in selected areas to support waste recovery and promote cleaner environments.

Spotlight on a school: Umbilo Secondary School

Umbilo Secondary continues to stand out for their innovation and commitment to environmental action. Through its Eco-Club, recycling and gardening projects, leadership workshops, Environmental calendar days activities, poster competitions, and recycling bins placed at key hotspots, the school is helping build a culture of sustainability and active learner participation.

Halala Umbilo Secondary, for exemplary commitment to environmental responsibility and action.

Behind the scene champions

This quarter, we recognise 'Mkhulu' Maphumulo from Buyani Primary School for his dedication and consistent support in helping keep recycling spaces clean, organised and active through daily care, commitment, teamwork and visible pride.

Looking ahead

Priorities, lessons and acknowledgements | January–March 2026
As we look to the next quarter, our focus is on strengthening participation, improving recycling practices, keeping schools supported, and continuing environmental learning. Together, we can build a cleaner, greener future for our schools and communities.