With its fingers on the pulse of sustainability and the environment, Mondeor Eco School continues to make big strides in investing in the lifestyles of their learners towards green living and awareness.
One of its latest projects, under the banner of the Sweetheart Foundation initiative that collects and recycles bread tags and plastic bottle tops in exchange for wheelchairs, is nearing its first goal.
“We have collected a total of 348 kg of bottle caps so far,” said Thana Rautenbach, the school’s eco coordinator. “We need another 102 kg to reach our target for our first wheelchair donation, and we’re super excited.”
Mondeor learners have been collecting tags and bottle caps since 2019, but the project really gained momentum last year, when the school was registered as an official drop-off zone by the Sweethearts Foundation. Other drop-off zones include Cape Café in Beach Road, Strand, Potter’s Pantry in Gordon’s Bay, Giuseppe’s Pizzeria and gram Plastic Free Grocer (both in Somerset West). Painstakingly slow at times, it can take up to six months to collect just 50 kg.
“We are so grateful to everyone for their contributions,” Rautenbach said. “Let’s continue making a difference because that is what you are doing. You are making a difference by collecting something you might think is just small and insignificant like a bottle cap or bread tag, but it can make a life-changing difference for a person in need of a wheelchair. Meanwhile, we are also recycling plastic (waste) into something new.”
Although they had aimed to reach the target, the school and its learners don’t plan to stop there.
“This is just one of the projects we’ve instituted at the school to create a solid foundation for our learners to make a difference in people’s lives and to be constantly environmentally aware.”
All learners have participated and are encouraged by a group of learners called “Eco Warriors”, who help organise the project.
The school has also partnered with Lisa Starr, founder of Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (Hoam), who rounds up the community and creates awareness of several environmental issues.
“Hoam has been involved with the school for some time now . . . Bottle caps are also among the top litter items on the beach, so this project in a way addresses that as well. We also look forward to engaging with Mondeor Eco School on future exciting projects,” she said.
More details on the initiative will be made available in the coming weeks, Rautenbach added. Mondeor Eco Sschool is also a drop-off site for waste paper for recycling.
V For more details on the projects at Mondeor Eco School or to arrange a drop-off, send an email to thanamoolman88@gmail.com.
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To get Starr on Hoam involvement, call on 084 311 2657.
