The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) has announced the 2019 winners of its Annual Schools Competition. Laerskool Anton Van Wouw in Gauteng came up tops and landed a prize of R30 000 in recognition of their position as Gauteng’s regional winner. The school managed to collect a whopping 28.9 tons of glass bottles and jars, which is over 86 000 glass bottles, during 2019.
The 2019 competition saw schools compete across Gauteng, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Durban as well as Pietermaritzburg. The three top-performing schools were selected in each participating region and received R30 000 (first prize for regional winner), R20 000 (regional runner-up) and R10 000 (regional third prize). Throughout the competition, there were also monthly prizes awarded to the top performing schools per region, which managed to collect the most glass per month.
Schools within each of these areas were invited to apply for the placement of glass banks. Apart from placing glass banks at the schools, TGRC also supplied curriculum compliant material to empower educators to facilitate a holistic view of the glass recycling process.
“Besides enabling the schools to play a pivotal role in reducing pollution within each participating province, this competition also assists in fostering entrepreneurship amongst the youth, imparting valuable skills that will help them during the next phase of their educational journey, as well as when they enter the job market,” said Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of The Glass Recycling Company.
Gauteng saw Laerskool Anton Van Wouw taking first place in the region, with St. Paulus Pre-and Primary School coming in second and Kiddies Academy Lynnwood taking third place. Altogether the three winning schools in Gauteng collected around 60 tons of glass – the equivalent of 180 000 glass bottles or 9 fully grown African elephants! By recycling these glass bottles and containers, these three schools have saved enough energy to light a compact florescent lightbulb for 2 years and 10 months or power a computer for 1 month and 17 days. This is a phenomenal effort towards a greener South Africa!
“TGRC remains dedicated to school recycling programmes because it is the perfect platform for instilling these beliefs in the next generation of business and societal leaders, helping them gain a sense of accountability, ownership and pride, while fostering a respect for nature and highlighting the importance of recycling for the youth,” concludes Jhetam.
THE REGIONAL WINNERS ARE:
KWAZULU NATAL
Kloof Senior Primary School – 1st place
Isnembe Secondary School – 2nd place
Mthombeni Primary School – 3rd place
GAUTENG
Laerskool Anton Van Wouw – 1st place
St. Paulus Pre-and Primary School – 2nd place
Kiddies Academy Lynnwood -3rd place
WESTERN CAPE
Bergvliet Primary School – 1st place (National Winner)
Kenridge Primary School – 2nd place
Bay Primary School – 3rd place
EASTERN CAPE (East London & Port Elizabeth)
Westering Primary School – 1st place
Herbert Hurd Primary School – 2nd place
Laerskool Nahoon – 3rd place
For more information about the 2020 competition, please contact The Glass Recycling Company on 011 803 0767 or [email protected]. You can also visit our website: www.tgrc.co.za or Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheGlassRecyclingCo.
About TGRC:
The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) consists of a team dedicated to increasing glass recycling in South Africa. We are passionate about ensuring every South African realises the value of recycling glass and actively embraces this practice.
We strive to educate, enable, encourage and inspire individuals to separate their glass for recycling, but do not physically collect or recycle the glass. Our focus extends beyond consumers and communities, but also on trade, industry and corporate South Africa. We also aim to uplift impoverished communities by creating income generating opportunities and skills development in the recycling sector. TGRC is funded by our committed shareholders who manufacture glass or package their products in glass.
We believe in the infinite potential of glass to make a real and positive contribution to society. At TGRC we are committed to show that glass recycling is worth the effort!
There are 3 ways to reduce the amount of waste glass in South Africa:
- Recycle your glass
Glass recycling is the process whereby glass is collected and then sent to the manufacturers. The manufacturers then melt the glass container to make brand new packaging.
- Return your glass
Returnable bottles are glass beverage bottles that can be returned to a supermarket, liquor outlet or retailer once empty, for a refund. These glass containers will be sent to the beverage company where the bottles are sterilised and refilled ready to be reused several times.
- Reuse your glass
Use your glass containers again and again after the glass has been used for its original purpose. A glass bottle can be used again to hold another liquid or be used as something new – for example a glass bottle can be reused as a vase.
