[Images left: Trashion Show First Place Winner at Diepsloot West Secondary School; (top right) Students learning about the importance of biodiversity at Interwaste; (bottom right) Itirele Zenzele Comprehensive School participating in the waste excursions at the Interwaste facilities in Germiston, Gauteng]
August was a month of creativity, learning, and impact as learners took centre stage in celebrating both Women’s Day and National Water Week through the eWASA & WESSA SA Schools Waste Management and Recycling Project.
Turning waste into wearable art
Two Trashion Shows brought classrooms to life at Diepsloot West Secondary School (8 August, themed around Women’s Month) and Masisebenze High School (22 August, themed for World Water Week). These unique events gave learners the chance to transform waste into bold, wearable art while sparking important conversations about consumer culture, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
The creativity and confidence on display were inspiring, young people proudly showcased their designs while leading their peers and communities in rethinking waste and its potential.
Pictured: Runner Up, Trashion Show at Diepsloot West Secondary. (middle and right) Innovative designs created by learners at Dieplsoot West Secondary School)
Learning beyond the classroom
Education extended beyond the runway with excursions to the Interwaste facilities on 19–20 August, where learners experienced the full journey of waste. From sorting and recycling to exploring waste-to-energy processes, these excursions offered a first-hand look at how everyday waste can be repurposed into new materials or even transformed into energy. For many learners, seeing waste in this new light was a true eye-opener.
Pictured: Students from eWASA Eco-Schools learning about the waste management and recycling process at Interwaste (bottom left) Students learning about waste to energy processes at Interwaste (bottom right) Diepsloot Secondary at the Interwaste Facilities]
Collaboration and support
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the eWASA team for their ongoing support of the Trashion Shows, and to Interwaste for opening their doors to learners and creating such engaging, educational experiences.
Together, these initiatives are not only empowering the next generation of environmental stewards but also showing how creative education can drive meaningful change in our communities.
Pictured: The eWASA team celebrating a successful Trashion show with the winners at Diepsloot West Secondary School]