WESSA Schools Programme

eWASA Eco-Schools Celebrate National Recycling Day by Turning Waste into Opportunity

Recycling is about more than putting something in the right bin. It’s about changing how we think about what we use, what we waste and what we can do differently.

Across Nelson Mandela Bay, EPR Waste Association of South Africa Eco-Schools marked the day by collecting, sorting and recycling waste. Learners and teachers from Chapman High School, David Livingstone High School, St Thomas High School and Happydale Special School worked together to divert an impressive 1,882.5 kg of waste from landfill.

At Hillside Technical School, learners took a creative approach with their Trashion Show, showcasing innovative designs made from recycled and repurposed materials. Their creativity demonstrated that waste isn’t simply something to throw away; it can be reimagined, reused and transformed into something meaningful.

When we rethink our relationship with waste, we can turn everyday actions into lasting change. 🌱

Our WESSA Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa Schools & Youth unit recently celebrated Arbor Week in Villiers by bringing environmental education to life through practical community action.

Local residents joined ECD learners from Thuto ke Lesedi, Zenzeleni, Qalabotjha Creche and Ntataise, together with learners from Zamaleka Primary School, to improve their shared environment.

Participants worked side by side to remove litter and waste, creating cleaner surroundings while strengthening awareness of the impacts of littering and illegal dumping. Learners also planted trees, gaining practical knowledge of how trees support biodiversity, improve air quality, provide shade and contribute to healthier, more climate-resilient communities.

Learners transformed used tyres into colourful planters for a new biodiversity garden, showing how discarded materials can be reused to create environmental and community value. The activity provided a creative introduction to waste reduction while establishing a vibrant green space that can support plants, insects, and ongoing environmental learning.

More than a once-off celebration, the event strengthened community ownership, introduced young learners to environmental stewardship, and demonstrated the visible impact communities can achieve when they work together. Through clean-up activities, tree planting and creative reuse, participants helped transform the space while building a lasting connection with nature.

Environmental education at its best!

Cleaner air starts with knowledge, action and communities working together. Thank you Clean Air Fund, groundWork and South African Waste Pickers Association - SAWPA for partnerring with us on this project.

Recycling took to the runway!

Learners participating in the eWASA & WESSA Waste Management & Education Project turned recyclable waste into creative fashion pieces and showcased their designs at their school Trashion shows.

A special shout-out to Chapman High School, Kuyga Primary School, Happydale Special School and Paterson High School for leading learner-driven Trashion Shows and assemblies focused on environmental education.

Beyond the runway, these young environmental champions are helping build a culture of recycling, waste reduction and environmental responsibility, showing that creativity and practical action can drive meaningful change.

From waste to action, young people are leading the change!

We were buzzing with excitement as we kicked off Phase 3 of the AECI Modderfontein ReserveEnvironmental Education Project, with a focus on biodiversity and pollinators!

Learners from Iphutheng Primary, Bovet Primary, Zeneleni Primary, Ikage Primary and OR Tambo Primary School explored the fascinating world of pollination through a fun, interactive game. By stepping into the role of pollinators, learners experienced first-hand how pollen moves between flowers and why these tiny interactions are so important for healthy ecosystems. The learning continued with an engaging environmental education session exploring South Africa’s indigenous flowers, pollinators and biodiversity, helping learners understand how closely interconnected these elements are and why protecting them matters.

During a nature walk, learners became Eco-Detectives, using their senses to observe, explore and identify the natural wonders around them. From flowers and insects to the sounds, sights and textures of the reserve, every discovery became an opportunity to learn more about the natural world.

Through hands-on experiences like these, we are helping young people connect with nature, understand their role in protecting it, and become environmental champions in their communities.

Your observations can help protect our water.

Join Watercan Testing Week, 14–18 September 2026, and become a citizen science water tester in your community. Limited FREE testing kits reavailable per province -register by 31 August 2026.

Observe today. Protect tomorrow.

Citizen science turns observation into action.

By recording what you find, you can help strengthen public knowledge about the condition of water in communities across South Africa.

Register to become a citizen science water tester during WaterCAN Testing Week, 14–18 September 2026.

💧 Register at https://zurl.co/Lsdey

📅 Registration closes 31 August 2026

🎁 Limited FREE testing kits are available per province. First come, first serve.

Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow.

From waste to cash!

It was smiles all around at Springbok Primary School as learners celebrated their first recycling collection after months of dedication and hard work.

Through the EPR Waste Association of South Africa SA Waste Management and Education Project, learners are proving that recycling creates real impact, keeping their school clean, reducing waste to landfill, and generating income that can be reinvested into their school.

Every recyclable collected is a step towards a cleaner, greener future.

Eco-Schools

Monday Motivation: Young Hands, Big Impact!

At Concordia Primary School in the Northern Cape, Youth Day was not just celebrated, it was put into action.

Through the EPR Waste Association of South Africa SA Waste Management and Education Project, learners got their hands dirty planting vegetables, restoring their food garden, sorting waste and leading a school clean-up.

From soil to recycling bins, these young changemakers are proving that caring for the planet starts right where you are.

60 students from The University of the Western Cape joined the UWC Nature Reserve Unit and the WESSA Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa team to help create a hybrid firebreak in the reserve.

Over three days, they cleared 1,482 m² of overgrown plants – helping reduce fire risk and giving smaller indigenous plants the space they need to grow.

Small actions. Real impact. Shared responsibility.