“We were blown away by the inventiveness and quality of the entries we received this year,” says Zimasa Velaphi, PR and marketing manager of Collect-a-Can. “The entrants definitely took our challenge to think outside the can to heart and delivered beyond our expectations.”
The top prize of R30 000 will go to the first prize winner Elkanah House in the Western Cape with their fun-looking 'can girl' sculpture. Mmamatli Primary School in Mpumalanga scooped up second prize with their Big Five inspired sculpture of the rhino. They will be awarded R20 000 for their achievement. Finally, Lucas Plaatjies and Donald Thubi of North West Province will be awarded R10 000 for their magnificent eco-friendly car structure that takes third prize.
Entrants once again demonstrated that creativity is indeed key and furthermore that recycling is not only ecofriendly, but can also be fun.
The winners will receive their prize money at the Collect-a-Can year-end award ceremonies which are held throughout November in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape.
The cans used in the building of these structures, were collected by the participants and will now be recovered by Collect-a-Can for recycling. This process demonstrates the environmental benefits of collecting cans and shows schools and learners that recycling can be fun, while encouraging learners to be more eco-conscious.
“We are overwhelmed by the unexpected community interest in this eco-friendly initiative,” says Velaphi. “Through the recovery and recycling of cans communities can safeguard the environment and ensure a sustainable income stream for schools and other community members, which will ultimately contribute to job creation and nation building.”
The CAN Craze Competition teaches communities that what may seem like trash, can be a valuable resource that can be re-used in their artwork and then recycled, prolonging the lifespan of the raw materials and preserving natural resources as well as energy.
For more information, phone 011 466 2939 or visit
www.collectacan.co.za.