Johannesburg - More than 1 300 primary school learners of Chivirikani Primary School in Katlehong, south-east of Johannesburg, received a pair of brand new school shoes made from non-hazardous, recycled PVC healthcare waste products. This means that these young learners will attend school this year in improved safety and comfort while proudly walking in shoes that have contributed towards reducing the country’s landfill waste burden and emission of greenhouse gasses.
A further 25 000 learners around the country will receive shoes during 2020 through the My Walk initiative, an innovative partnership between Netcare and Adcock Ingram Critical Care that is turning used, uncontaminated PVC intravenous drip bags, oxygen masks and associated tubing into shiny new school shoes, made from 100% recycled material. The school shoes themselves are also 100% recyclable, with the exception of the laces.
Just 20 drip bags are needed to make one pair of new school shoes!
A prototype of the school shoes was tested at three schools in 2019, to get first-hand feedback from learners on design and comfort. The final unisex shoe design took into consideration the valuable feedback received from the learners. One of the participating schools was Chivirikani Primary School, and it was therefore decided, in consultation with the school, to launch the My Walk initiative at its premises and distribute the first batch of fully recycled school shoes to learners at the school.
Speaking at the launch of the My Walk initiative, the Chief Director: National and Provincial Communication in the Ministry of Basic Education, Mr Elijah Mhlanga, welcomed the initiative.
“School shoes are a basic necessity, and if learners do not have adequate footwear, this can introduce ongoing obstacles to their education, including bullying and harassment at school. Having school shoes can enhance the schooling experience for learners.”
(Adapted from the original article by Brent Lindeque, source: goodthingsguy.com)
