Petco kicked off the academic year by participating in the 2026 Schools Recycling Activation Programme hosted by the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. The initiative brought together learners, Mkhumbane community members, and local waste pickers to better understand the value of recycling in advancing environmental sustainability.

The event gave Petco the opportunity to showcase the full PET and liquid board packaging (LBP) recycling process, and to engage learners and community members with interactive displays, product samples, and insights into career and entrepreneurial opportunities within the recycling value chain.

A programme highlight was the introduction of eThekwini’s waste management mascot, designed to make environmental education fun and relatable for learners! Inspiring a new generation of recyclers is essential to long-term sustainability, and the Petco team encouraged the schools to adopt separation-at-source practices.

The activation reinforced Petco and partners’ dedication to encouraging sustainable waste management to create a better, more circular future for South Africa’s children.