Saving energy in our communities

Members of the Seven Schools Club

The Supernova team would like to make mention of two finalists in the Community category at the Eskom eta Awards 2012, especially because both projects involve children and 'greening' our planet - both of which are close to our hearts.

A joint winner in the Community category is Seven Schools Club from Nelspruit. This group of seven schools includes: Sakhile High School, Inkhanyeti Primary School, Khutsalani High School, Phatfwa High School, Sandzile Primary School, Embonisweni Primary School and Tsembaletfu Primary School. These schools joined forces to establish a recycling campaign. They have raised R5380 by recycling 16 244 kgs of waste, while 53 473.92 kilowatt hours of energy have been saved. How are you going to get your school involved in recycling?

Seven Schools Club

Seven Schools Club recycling station

The finalist we would like to mention is Bush Pigs Outdoor Education Centre. Supernova Editor Andrea Vermaak remembers going to Bush Pigs as a school learner and is proud that the centre does not only teach children more about the environment, but that they are looking after it too. 

Claire Warner (Wessa) and
Bush Pigs managers Steve and Kerry Baytop

During 2009, Bush Pigs was adopted by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) and joined the Wessa Eco-Schools' programme in 2010. After conducting an energy and waste audit of their own environmental practises, they started implementing sustainable technologies to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint, including geyser blankets, solar phone chargers, hot boxes and heat retention cookers, and fuel a efficient stove.

Bush Pigs recycling station

Bush Pigs compost heap

Bush Pigs greenhouse

Bush Pigs geyser blankets

Congratulations to both finalists and many thanks from the Supernova team for your massive efforts to teach our children to reduce their energy use. Supernova magazine backs you up all the way and we wish you all the best with your future energy saving endeavours.

Competition: win a copy of Supernova!

What are you doing to save energy? If you are 18 and under, let us know by leaving a comment below this post, or by emailing andrea@bkpublishing.co.za. You can win a copy of Supernova magazine!