MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A new wave of environmental education is washing over Mossel Bay as Oceans Research, the Earth Legacy Foundation, and Mossel Bay Municipality have partnered to introduce the Captain Fanplastic school programme.

Captain Fanplastic is a global programme recognised as a UN Ocean Decade Action and World Economic Forum top innovator.

The website, www.captainfanplastic.com, notes that the programme "has a big, hairy, audacious pirate goal to turn a million learners into plastic pirates by 2030".

The initiative aims to instil environmental literacy in young learners through engaging, hands-on experiences that promote sustainable waste management.

According to Earth Legacy Foundation's Esther Jacobs, the programme immerses children in Captain Fanplastic's world through interactive storytelling, hands-on learning, and community-driven action.

She said learners will learn about #NoTrashButTreasure, repurposing plastic waste into valuable items and participating in treasure hunts to clean up their environment.

Oceans Research's Zurike Marais teaches children at Erika Primary School about the programme.

"This collaboration marks an important step in empowering the next generation of environmental stewards in Mossel Bay," says Enrico Gennari, director of Oceans Research.

"By working together, we can create a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community."

It focuses on primary schools in under-resourced areas, encouraging sustainable waste management practices and long-term environmental impact.

"A wonderful incentive for the schools is that Henque Waste Mossel Bay will buy back selected plastic items collected by the learners, paying agreed rates for recycling or upcycling. The funds will go directly to the school that carried out the clean-up … a perfect example of circular economy," says Jacobs.

To donate to the programme and enable it to be rolled out across more schools, email info@oceans-research.com.

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