Over the past weeks the 4467 learners and 264 YeboScouters from within the Scouting-in-Schools programme in the Western Cape have been learning about sustainable consumption.

Through tailor-made programmes, the learners and youth leaders explored the Sustainable Development Goals and their roles in contributing to climate actions.

They discussed their own habits with regards to waste and littering, learned how to dispose of waste and recycle, and cleaned up their schools and neighbourhoods. They also put into practice the sustainable economy model but repurposing the trash they collected. The learners and youth leaders picked up litter within and around their schools and turned the trash into eco bricks, which were then upcycled into modular seating for their school playgrounds and libraries!

Nikita, Siphesihle, and Isofai explained “We collected plastic and then pushed it down into our bottles with sticks. We then stuck it together to make these chairs. It was fun to clean up our school, we were collecting other people’s trash to create something to treasure. It was like we were recycling for the world.” This is not the first time that the learners have recycled waste to create a better world. We look forward to seeing what else they have in store.

This initiative was made possible with the generous support of M&G Investments South Africa and World Scouting through the Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) Litter Less campaign.