The City of Cape Town opened a new Waste to Art Expo at the Civic Centre linked to the Festive Lights Switch-On Event this weekend, with works created by Grade 6 and 7 students.

The saying “one man’s waste is another’s treasure”, was proven today at the opening of a new public exhibition – the Festive Lights Switch-On Waste to Art Expo – at the Civic Centre in Cape Town that demonstrates how waste can be turned into beautiful and meaningful art and that promote the all-important message of reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Underlining the significance of the message of a cleaner environment for all, the exhibition was officially opened by Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, along with Alderman Grant Twigg, and Alderman JP Smith.  Also in attendance were the 40 students and their teachers responsible for the imaginative creations from Cecil Road Primary, Dryden Primary and Wesley Primary in Salt River and St Paul’s Primary in Bo-Kaap.

‘It’s wonderful to be here at the opening of the Waste to Art exhibition where school kids have turned waste from the streets of Cape Town into these incredible works of art. In our #SpringCleanCT Campaign we are working to change behaviour around littering. Nothing should become litter, and waste can be turned into something special,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

The Waste to Art project forms part of the City’s annual Festive Lights Switch-On event.  It is a valuable opportunity to engage young minds through creative mediums to understand the importance of climate change, excess consumerism, and the necessity of maintaining a clean environment for all – nature and the humans and animals who inhabit the earth.

In 2022, the project was done in conjunction with the City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate, whose Let’s Act #SpringcleanCT campaign promotes an anti-litter culture and encourages all citizens to clean up their act and help others clean up theirs.

Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg recently visited Cecil Road Primary to check on the progress of the works of art.

‘I am so proud of our young people and the effort they have put in.  They are our future leaders and ambassadors for a cleaner world.  I thank everyone, including our hardworking teachers, for taking time out of their exam preparation schedules to participate in this project – it has been well worth it.

‘There’s no time like the present to open our eyes and see what is laying around us, and to perform our own small act of service by picking up litter or re-purposing matter we consider past its sell by date,’ said Alderman Twigg.

The works on show include an Aquarium made from recycled bottles – a timely reminder that our oceans and aquatic life require the space to breathe.  Our oceans are where most of the oxygen we breathe originates.  Other artworks on display are a feast of flowers from old paper; a 3-D depiction of Cape Town itself complete with the stadium, Table Mountain, paragliders and the sea; a Nike sneaker Combi reminiscent of the carefree summers of our youth in years gone by and a colourful traditional dwelling complete with recycling bins that remind us wherever we are – rural or urban – we need to look after what we put back into the earth.

The Waste to Art Expo is open at the Civic Centre from today till 13 January 2023 and is a must see for hope of the future, which also speaks to the theme of this year’s Festive Lights Switch-On: Cape Town – City of Hope.

Source: City Of Cape Town