Celebrating 121 Years of Zoo Lake: A Tribute to Community, Conservation, and Circularity
On May 4th, Zoo Lake marked its 121st birthday with a vibrant celebration that brought together community members, environmental advocates, and local organisations—including Fibre Circle—for a day of reflection, action, and joy. Hosted in collaboration with the Zoo Lake Users Committee and Johannesburg Zoo, the event showcased the power of collective stewardship in preserving one of Johannesburg’s most beloved green spaces.
A Legacy of Restoration and Renewal
Over the past decade, the Zoo Lake Users Committee has transformed the park through community-led initiatives: rehabilitating the lake’s banks with indigenous plants, upgrading benches through the “Adopt a Bench” project, and installing waste management systems that support recycling and reuse. These efforts align closely with Fibre Circle’s mission to promote circularity in paper and packaging, keeping renewable materials out of landfills and in use.
Fibre Circle’s Role in Environmental Education
Fibre Circle CEO Edith Leeuta addressed attendees, highlighting the link between waste behaviour and environmental impact. “Our work is about more than recycling—it’s about reshaping habits and protecting spaces like Zoo Lake,” she said. With landfills nearing capacity, Leeuta emphasised the urgency of separating waste at source and choosing recyclable products.
A Celebration Rooted in Purpose
The birthday festivities included a clean-up, fun walk, owl show, and tree planting—121 indigenous trees to honour each year of Zoo Lake’s existence. Volunteers, residents, and even Miss Earth South Africa finalists joined hands to celebrate the park’s rich history and its role in fostering biodiversity and community well-being.
"This programme is more than just a schools initiative; it is a movement – a call to action for young people to fall in love with our country by caring for the environment, one piece of paper and one recycling bin at a time.”
As Fibre Circle continues to champion sustainability in the paper and recycling sectors, events like Zoo Lake’s 121st birthday remind us that environmental progress begins with local action—and grows through shared commitment.
For more information on Fibre Circle initiatives, email us at info@fibrecircle.co.za and follow our social media platforms.
