Back to school: Let’s teach learners to waste less and care more

15 January 2026

As schools reopen, the City of Cape Town is encouraging learners, parents, teachers and school governing bodies to place waste reduction and environmental responsibility at the centre of school life.

Finding practical ways to reduce, reuse and recycle waste not only helps schools save money, but also plays a vital role in shaping a waste-wise generation. Schools remain one of the most important spaces to build lifelong habits that support a cleaner, healthier city.

The City is calling on teachers to continue integrating waste education into the classroom, helping learners understand the impact of littering, excessive waste and poor disposal practices. Teaching waste awareness from an early age empowers young people to become responsible citizens and environmental leaders within their homes and communities.

Simple actions can significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, including:

• Avoiding products with excessive packaging.
• Buy in bulk, and use refills and concentrates, to reduce waste.
• Choose products made from recycled or recyclable materials.
• Avoid single-use items, such as disposable plates at school events, and encourage learners to bring their own containers.
• Provide learners with reusable lunch boxes and returnable drink containers, and discourage single-use packaging.
• Start a compost heap or use a composting container and, where possible, use compost in a school food garden.

City encourages more schools to consider implementing recycling programmes, which can also create small income streams to support school activities. The City has developed guidelines to assist schools with waste audits, establishing waste management committees, infrastructure needs, and promoting recycling within the surrounding community. The guide is available on the City’s website, and it includes ways to compost the school's organic waste: Waste Awareness Booklet.

‘When you consider the thousands of tonnes of waste produced in Cape Town each day, it becomes clear that landfill disposal alone is not a sustainable solution. While our landfills are well managed, we need to reduce waste at source and significantly increase reuse and recycling.

‘Schools play a critical role in this journey. By continuing waste education in classrooms and using tools such as our Anti-Litter Mascot Bingo, we can instil responsible habits early and move closer to the goals set out in the National Waste Management Strategy, including reducing waste to landfill and working towards a zero-waste society,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

To spread the message, the City’s anti-litter mascot, Bingo, is available to visit schools and educate learners in fun and engaging ways. Bingo helps reinforce positive waste behaviour, including litter prevention, recycling, and caring for public spaces.

Schools can request a Bingo visit here. Please note: Completing and submitting the request form does not guarantee a booking.

Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town