Recycling starts at school level

All Namibian schools are again encouraged to recyle by competing in the annual Schools Recycling Competition run by the Recycle Namibia Forum. The new competition starts in March shortly after the winners for 2013/14 will have been announced. The top three schools take home an assortment of prizes from various sponsors, as well as substantial cash prizes.
The three main sponsors, Namibia Breweries Limited, Collect-a-Can and Plastic Packaging are funding prizes from N$10,000 for first prize,N$5,000 for runner-up and N$2,500 for the third position as well as additional prizes for the best performing school in the Khomas, Coastal and Northern region.

“The winner of the 2013/14 competition will be announced in Windhoek on 12 March 2014. In total, 52 schools participated last year i.e. 2013/ 2014. To date, the schools have in total collected just more than 108 tons of recyclables, which consisted of 29 tons of glass, 9 tons of cans, 16.5 tons of plastic and 15 tons of paper. This is slightly lower than the previous year’s total and we are hoping to see an increase again in 2014/15.” said Forum chairperson Patricia Hoeksema.
Hoeksema encouraged schools to take part in the competition saying it supports both education and the environment. The competition, initially started in Windhoek, now includes schools in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Oshakati and Ondangwa.
“Transport is the biggest obstacle to recycling in Namibia. Although some plastics can be recycled locally at the facilities of Namibia Polymer Recyclers in Okahandja, most recyclables have to be transported to Windhoek where they can be bailed and prepared for transport to South Africa” said Hoeksema.