RECYCLE NAMIBIA FORUM: 6th Schools' Recycling Competition

The Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF) is once again inviting schools to participate in the 6^th Schools Recycling Competition (SRC) which commences on 1 March 2014. Prizes for the top three schools with the most collected recyclables, includes N$10 000 as first prize sponsored by Namibia Breweries Limited, N$5 000 for second prize sponsored by Collect-a-Can and a third prize of N$2 500 from Plastic Packaging.  There will be additional prizes for the best performing school in the Khomas, Coastal and Northern regions.

(Photograph: Eleanor Savage - f, Jonathan Wepener - b and Alex Hawala - r, of  the Windhoek International School Environmental Club)

RNF chairperson Patricia Hoeksema comments: “The winner of the 2013/14 competition will be announced in Windhoek on the 12^th of 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.” Hoeksema therefore encourages schools to take part in the competition because it supports two important factors of our country, education and our beautiful environment.

(Photograph: RNF spokesperson, Patricia Hoeksema)

The competition, initially started in Windhoek, has expanded beyond the borders of the capital and today includes schools in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Oshakati and Ondangwa. Rent-A-Drum, a member of the RNF, plays a vital role in the success of this Schools Recycling Competition. They are able to regularly service the stands located at participating schools, and by doing so extend our impact. The RNF is always looking for reliable partners and therefore, if we have adequate support, we will gladly extend the Schools Recycling Competition to more towns.”

Currently 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. The RNF supplies schools with a SRC recycling stand owned by the RNF for a period of two years. These schools have to renew their application for participation in the second year, while schools that own a SRC recycling stand need not apply for participation every year as they are automatically part of the SRC. The advantage of having their own stand is that they can generate more income by selling the advertising space on the four front panels of the stand to companies for N$2 500 or more, per panel per year.

Schools operating specifically within the municipal areas of Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Ondangwa and Oshakati are called on to get application forms from the RNF office, tel: (061) 238 919, or via email coordinator@rnf.com.na, and submit the completed entry form to the RNF by 

10 March 2014.