The Tubs2Classrooms competition was launched in 2022 when Danone, in partnership with Pick ‘n Pay and Interwaste, set out to educate 80 primary schools nationally, teaching children about the value of responsible plastic recycling. Children were encouraged to clean and bring their used yoghurt tubs to school, which in turn will be converted into lightweight bricks to build learning centres for schools in need.
The award-winning concept took Gold in the category of Circular Economy and Waste Innovation at the Eco-logic Awards in September 2022 and was recently supported by Minister Barbara Creecy and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). The project creates a second life for plastic while providing much-needed resources to schools and diverting plastic from landfill.
Wavecrest Primary collected almost 20 000 of the 300 000 yoghurt tubs collected throughout the campaign - the most of all the participating schools in the Western Cape. The school was awarded an R10 000 cash prize in recognition of their efforts.
“Schools perform an invaluable role in our communities. Not only do they shape the minds of our future generation, but they have the power to actively drive social change that leads to a better, more sustainable future for all,” says Leanne Kiezer, Head of Corporate Affairs for Danone Southern Africa. “It is our honour to recognise Wavecrest Primary’s passion for protecting the environment; a cause which Danone values and implements as part of our business goals.”
