Date: 4 June 2025
Venue: Yellowwood Park Civic Centre
Address: 1 Pelican Drive Yellowwood Park
EThekwini Municipality in partnership with MetPac- SA celebrated World Environment Day on 4 June 2025. This global event was attended by learners from four Primary Schools from ward 64 which included Yellowwood Park Primary School, Montclair Primary School, Woodlands Primary School and Ningizimu Primary School.
The celebrations kicked off with a tree planting ceremony at Yellowwood Park Primary School. The national Yellowwood tree was planted by learners together with their educators at the school’s sports field. The eThekwini Parks Department played an important role in teaching learners the importance of trees and also taught learners how to water and look after plants and trees.
Learners were transported with school transport to Yellowwood Park Civic Centre where learners gathered and curated art made from recycled materials. Learners were given a task to create art made from two substrates which were metal and plastic. Learners showcased immense talent, their art pieces included cars made from metal, handbags and hats made from plastic, decorative ornaments made from metal, robots made from metal and many more stunning art pieces.
The panel of speakers gave thought provoking presentations on the importance of recycling, reusing, and reducing. The speakers stressed that trees and plants are extremely important to the environment. Learners were encouraged to start planting trees and plants in their own homes.
Judges had a tough time choosing winners of the recycled art competition. Ningizimu Primary School emerged as the winners of the day. Their art made from both metal and plastic was simply outstanding and hugely innovative.
MetPac-SA played a pivotal role in teaching learners how to embrace circular economy and move away from linear economy. MetPac-SA imparted great knowledge on separation at source by teaching learners the importance of separating aluminum cans from other substrates at home. Learners were taught the importance of rinsing tins with water and soap. Tins such as baked beans, tinned fish, tuna fish, jam tins etc.
The World Environment Day event was a resounding success learners left feeling revitalised with new knowledge. Learners made a pledge to take care of the environment and to reduce, reuse and recycle.
