By Gabriel Francke
Three local schools were recognised for their outstanding efforts in recycling at the annual POLYCO Recycling Competition.
The award ceremony, held at the Railton Community Hall on 19 September, celebrated the schools that collected the most recyclables during National Recycling week 2025. Buffeljags Primary took top prize, winning a R4500 voucher, followed by Swellendam Kindergarten Academic in second place with a R3250 voucher and Swellendam Primary in third earning a R1750 voucher.
The goal of this project is to kickstart recycling in Swellendam and to provide the locals with the means to generate more additional income via vouchers.
“People can bring their recycling to the shops to receive a voucher. For example, they can bring them to Pick n Pay (PnP), Checkers and Shoprite are one of them, I think,” Richard de Freitas, one of the owners of Pic ‘n Pay said.
Francois Du Rand, the mayor of Swellendam, emphasised that people can not only put value to recycling but also have a clean impact on the community.
Bontebok Primary school, one of the few schools who took part in the POLYCO Schools Recycling Competition, was delighted by the POLYCO Mascot Binnie.
Neil Bothma, one of the PnP staff members, and the POLYCO team taught the learners about recycling material like plastic, glass, paper with a fun short session of dancing, and chants.
Francis Baatjies, principal of Bontebok Primary school showed her gratitude towards the POLYCO team for extending their time to visit their school.
This session was not only educational but also fun experience for the learners, who seemed to enjoy Binnie’s company and dance moves.
The success of the Recycling week competition played a crucial role in the life of the Swellendam community, with the high value donations of R12 000 from the stores, like PnP and Johan van der Berg (VM&K) for the PnP vouchers, a few estate agents giving R1000 PNA and Spar vouchers.
In addition of these, Hero Award certificates as well as the badges and recycle pencil bags were given. Polyco also supplied four recycling bins per school plus a wide variety of educational materials and goodies, and a Poster Competition 1st price – Airplane flight (Heritage Aviation).
Hence, the goal is to start recycling in Swellendam with this project and as mentioned above to also give additional means for income.
For more information or to report any illegal dumping, contact:
Swellendam Municipality
General Inquiries: 028 514 8500
Illegal Dumping Reporting:
- The Management and reaction to illegal dumping is dealt through these details for the successful reporting, identification & prosecution of perpetrators. In your communication include your name, contact details, description, and location of site.
Fine = R5 000 Reward = R2 000
Email: illegaldumping@swellendam.gov.za
WhatsApp: 067 435 1733
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