The first look at desks made from recycled plastic after the big Joburg Clean-up

Credit: Supplied - (L to R) Ashith Sodha (AKRARA), Chandru Wadhwani (Extrupet) and Alistair Schorn (PETCO) join some of the learners of City Kids School in Joburg sitting in the school desks made from recycled plastic.

PETCO in partnership with various companies and organisations used recycled plastic from the Joburg city clean-up and built desks for school children.

Learners at City Kids Pre – and Primary School in Johannesburg were gifted 15 double – seater school desks made from recycled plastic pledged by Extrupet, PETCO and AKRARA as part of the Joburg City Clean – up earlier this year.

The 15 double – seater desks, manufactured by Extruwood, weigh 68kgs each and can comfortably seat a classroom of 30 learners. The desks look and feel like wood, however, they are made of recycled plastic.

“It is estimated that throughout South Africa, there is a shortage of approximately 300 000 school desks. This is why we are so proud to be making this donation,”

“These desks meet a real need within the schools, but also demonstrate the importance of sustainable waste management, while highlighting the great value that exists in so – called ‘waste’ materials within a circular economy.” – Chandru Wadhwani, Joint Managing Director for Extrupet.

PETCO believes that the key to changing the views of waste management and recycling starts with children.

“We are thrilled to support this initiative as we believe informed, inspired, and empowered youth who learn to deal with waste properly today, will help secure a more sustainable future for South Africa tomorrow.” – Janine Basson, Stakeholder Relations Manager for PETCO

Extrupet is challenging corporate companies in SA to donate these desks to schools in need.

‘Other corporates can make a real and practical contribution to our children’s education and our transition on to a circular economy in South Africa by simply donating desks like these to schools. Thus, we challenge Corporate South Africa to match or exceed these donations’. – Chandru Wadhwani, Joint Managing Director for Extrupet.