Following the successful national rollout of its Million+ Grade 1 Recycling Education Programme, Polyco PRO NPC is already seeing the early impact of one of South Africa’s most ambitious early childhood environmental education initiatives.
The programme, which is set to reach 16 000 Grade 1 learners across 100 schools nationwide in 2026, is designed to introduce recycling and sustainability concepts at the very start of a child’s schooling journey.
By embedding environmental awareness early, Polyco aims to help shape lifelong habits that extend beyond the classroom into homes, communities and future generations.
Through interactive, in-school activations, learners are introduced to recycling in a way that is practical, engaging and age-appropriate. Each participating learner receives a branded recycling education toolkit consisting of a drawstring bag, lunchbox and water bottle, stationery kit, and a recycling educational booklet. These tools are intended not only to reinforce learning at school, but to spark conversations about recycling at home.
“Educating children at a young age is one of the most powerful ways to drive long-term behaviour change,” says Ms Chantal Philander, Marketing Manager of Polyco PRO NPC. “When learners understand why recycling matters from their first year of school, they become advocates for sustainability within their families and communities. This is how we build a culture of environmental responsibility that supports South Africa’s transition to a circular economy.”
Since its inception in 2024, the Million+ Programme has scaled steadily, growing from 25 schools in its first year, to 35 schools in 2025, and now 100 schools in 2026. This growth reflects both the demand for environmental education at foundation phase level and Polyco’s long-term commitment to grassroots impact.
While the programme is rooted in local communities, its relevance extends far beyond South Africa’s borders. As countries worldwide grapple with waste management challenges, climate change and resource scarcity, early education has become a critical pillar in global sustainability efforts.
By teaching children to value resources and understand the role of recycling, initiatives like the Million+ Programme contribute to a broader international movement toward responsible consumption and environmental stewardship.
The Million+ campaign aims to mobilise more than one million South Africans to commit to recycling. Polyco (The Polyolefin Responsibility Organisation), believes that recycling is something that every person can do to make a positive impact on the earth.
They have launched the Million+ campaign to recruit a revolution of recyclers that will spread the word about the importance of recycling. Parents and learners can access educational resources on the Million+ Initiative website https://millionplusrecyclers.co.za
The programme is delivered in collaboration with Pick n Pay School Club, which supports the coordination of learner toolkits and facilitates in-school activations at participating schools across the country. Together, the partners aim to ensure that recycling education is accessible, consistent and impactful at a national scale.
As the Million+ Programme continues to expand, Polyco PRO NPC remains focused on its core objective: empowering young learners with the knowledge and habits needed to protect the environment today and for generations to come.
