That translates to close to 800,000 bottles kept out of landfill and pushed back into productive use.
South Africa (14 April 2026) – Did you know that glass is one of the most valuable recyclable materials? It can be recycled endlessly without losing quality. Every glass bottle that is recycled can be reused to manufacture a new one, and the ripple effects of that can be incredible!
Glass recycling keeps materials in circulation, reduces waste, and supports a network of collectors, transporters and processors across the country.
South African schools participating in the national Glass Recycling Schools Competition, organised by The Glass Recycling Company, know that their impact makes a meaningful difference.
This year, four schools together collected and recycled nearly 200 tonnes of glass, equivalent in weight to more than 40 African elephants. That translates to around 800,000 bottles kept out of landfill and pushed back into the production chain!
That incredible effort was driven by children who refused to let recycling slip. It sparked something greater too. The competition works by families making use of glass recycling banks located at participating schools. Each child who participated brought home a behavioural shift, which in turn set a household standard for separating glass, being aware of what goes into the bin, and making recycling a part of daily routine.
When learners are backed by their families who are equally committed to recycling, led by educators who encourage that behaviour, tonnes of glass moves back into the system.
This year’s top national contenders were Laerskool Verkenner, which took first prize, having collected a standout 82,598kg of glass for recycling, followed closely by Laerskool Kabega on 74,332kg. Both schools are based in Gqeberha. In third place is Bergvliet Primary School in the Western Cape with 20,436kg, while Isnembe Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal took fourth with 19,130kg.
The top three schools in each province were awarded cash prizes of R10,000, R20,000 and R30,000, with the national winner claiming an extra R20,000. This year’s top honour went to Laerskool Verkenner, crowned the top school in the Eastern Cape and in the country!
“This competition shows exactly where real change happens,” says Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of The Glass Recycling Company. “Children bring energy, consistency and a sense of ownership. They do not let the message fade. When they take recycling seriously, it becomes part of how a household operates, and that is where long-term impact is built.”
Beyond the good it does for the environment, participating schools gain access to prize money, infrastructure such as glass recycling banks, and the ability to build a strong culture of responsibility and environmental awareness among learners. It’s also a practical way for schools to engage families and communities to create a measurable impact.
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