In a bid to instill environmental consciousness from a young age, Pick n Pay has embarked on a mission to educate the youth about the importance of recycling, donating 35,000 pencil cases made from recycled plastic bottles to over 200 schools across the country. Targeting Grade 4 learners, each student will receive a pencil case crafted from a 500ml recycled PET plastic bottle.
The initiative, led by the Pick n Pay School Club, goes beyond mere donations. It includes engaging educational sessions during each donation event, emphasizing the significance of recycling. Informative posters showcasing the transformative power of recycling are distributed for display in schools, illustrating the journey from plastic bottles to functional pencil cases.
“Recycling is pivotal for conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and combatting climate change. By empowering learners with knowledge about recycling’s benefits, we hope to foster recycling habits that extend into schools, homes, and communities,” stated Vaughan Pierce, Executive: ESG at Pick n Pay.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of Pick n Pay’s pencil case donations, reaching over 136,000 learners and educating them about responsible recycling practices.
In addition to the pencil cases, Pick n Pay teams visiting schools have extended support by donating stationery and food hampers to child-headed households through a collaboration with the Feed the Nation Foundation.
Furthermore, 1000 pencil cases have been generously donated to CHOC, aiding their Carebag initiative for newly diagnosed hospital patients. These Carebags contain essential toiletries and engaging activities such as coloring books, crayons, games, and puzzles, aiming to bring comfort and joy to children during their hospital stay.
Pick n Pay’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community welfare through innovative initiatives like these underscores the importance of corporate responsibility in creating a greener and more equitable future for all.
