Fibre Circle, Tiger Brands, and SMME partner Greener Pastures empower learners from five primary schools to drive the circular economy through creative waste recycling challenges.
Fibre Circle, the producer responsibility organisation for South African paper and paper packaging, with leading consumer goods company Tiger Brands, in partnership with local SMME Greener Pastures Recycling Company, recently celebrated the culmination of the Zithande Mzansi Green Schools Recycling Programme in Katlehong and Vosloorus. The event, which took place on 5 August 2026 at the Palm Ridge Community Hall in Katlehong, showcased the environmental consciousness and creative talent of learners from five prominent Katlehong and Vosloorus schools.
The Zithande Mzansi Schools and Community Recycling Programme is a collaborative initiative aimed at instilling sustainable, environmentally responsible habits from an early age. Focusing on Grade 4, 5, and 6 learners, the initiative is designed to divert waste from landfills, support local waste-collection SMMEs, and foster a vibrant culture of recycling within communities.
Driving action through creative competitions
Through Zithande Mzansi, learners from Ikusasalethu Primary School, Katlehong Primary School, Manzini Primary School, Polokegong Primary School, and Umtholo Primary School spent months participating in educational workshops and practical waste management campaigns. The core components of the programme included three inter-school competitions designed to stimulate different aspects of environmental stewardship:
- Collect, Recycle, and Win Competition: Schools competed to collect the highest volume of paper and paper packaging, encouraging active waste sorting at source.
- Voices for the Planet Poetry Competition: Learners wrote and recited original poems focusing on environmental sustainability. The competition celebrated powerful youth voices and inspiring change.
- Waste-2-Art Competition: Students flexed their creative muscles by converting discarded recyclables into stunning, meaningful works of art. The final showcase displayed these artworks at the community hall.
Empowering local enterprises and the community
A critical pillar of the Zithande Mzansi collaboration is local enterprise development. Greener Pastures Recycling Company, a participant in Fibre Circle’s SMME Development Programme, acted as the official collection partner for the participating schools. By providing localised collection services, Greener Pastures helps close the loop in the circular economy. The schools earn direct financial rebates for the recyclables they collect, which are then reinvested in school infrastructure and local green initiatives.
Fostering community ownership of environmental change
"Through the Zithande Mzansi programme, we’re helping to instil sustainable habits in young people while building awareness around the value of recycling. By giving schools the tools and guidance to manage their own recycling systems, we’re not only reducing waste but also empowering communities to take ownership of environmental change." Edith Leeuta, CEO of Fibre Circle.
