South Africa’s producer responsibility organisation for the paper and paper packaging sector Fibre Circle has rolled out an exciting and innovative project to extend inclusive environmental awareness to 292 schools across the country.

Through its flagship Zithande Mzansi programme, Fibre Circle has the bold aim of inspiring young people to have a passion for nature and the environment and to make recycling education accessible to every learner.

The initiative brings recycling education and environmental awareness into the classroom, teaching learners to implement tangible, everyday actions that have an impact on the wider community. Learners take the message home, influencing families and communities to recycle and care for the environment.

Since 2024, the programme has been extended to schools for the deaf across five provinces, in an effort to ensure inclusive education that encourages environmental sustainability and community involvement.

The educational material for the schools for the deaf programme has been adapted to ensure that recycling and environmental awareness are understood and enjoyed by all learners, regardless of their communication or learning needs.

Sign language interpreters, visual aids, practical demonstrations and hands-on activities are all employed to ensure that deaf learners can participate fully in the programme. In addition, theatre is used to turn education about recycling into a visual story, creating a fun, memorable and emotionally engaging experience for deaf learners.

The effort to ensure the programme is inclusive to learners with hearing disabilities, is led by dynamic community leader Nokuthula Tshabalala, who started her own recycling and waste management business in Soweto several years ago, as a means of supporting her family. Today Tshabalala’s business, Trash2Treasure, has 12 full-time employees and has created jobs for women and youth across the country. Tshabalala emphasises that her journey shows that waste has value and can create income and dignity by teaching young people that solutions and opportunities can come from what others throw away.

Fibre Circle affirms that its partnership with deaf schools across the country reflects its belief that environmental stewardship should be a shared responsibility and a shared joy that celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of South Africa’s youth.

Looking ahead, Fibre Circle hopes to expand the Zithande Mzansi programme to reach more schools across South Africa – especially those with limited resources or differing infrastructure levels. The goal is to ensure that all learners, regardless of their school environment, can access high-quality environmental education and participate in meaningful and practical recycling initiatives.

“The programme’s growth, however, needs strong collaboration,” says Fibre Circle communications and programme manager Michel-le’ Gamalitshayo. “Partners such as Fibre Circle members, private sector organisations and educational specialists can play a vital role by supporting resource development, helping train teachers and sponsoring materials or infrastructure.”

Policy-makers also have an important role to play, adds Gamalitshayo, emphasising the need for environmental education to be included in school curricula and policies that make recycling more accessible to all schools, regardless of circumstances.

Fibre Circle asserts its hopes of growing Zithande Mzansi into a national movement that empowers all South African learners to care for the environment, no matter their circumstances or ability.