CPUT with its community of 40 000 staff and students is doing its bit to support waste management in the City of Cape Town.
The university recently adopted a three-bin system which encourages staff and students to sort their waste into organic, general and recycling bins. This simple act is expected to deviate tons of waste from already overburdened landfills.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management in the City of Cape Town, Grant Twigg, says CPUT’s proactiveness in waste sorting will reap big benefits.
“Waste Management is a challenge yet it’s such a big part of our lives. The fact is that the more waste can be sorted at source then that means more money for CPUT and that funds flow back to students,” he says.
“The land we dedicate to landfills could be used for housing. At the end of the day every small initiative will have a big impact.”
The waste sorting initiative is part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Green Zero Waste Campus Project and will be rolled out across four CPUT campuses in June.
The institution partnered with Twigg’s department along with Better Bellville, which aims to stimulate the area’s economic activity and develop it as a prosperous central Business District.
Better Bellville Project Manager, Zintle Dotwana, said it was a pleasure to partner with CPUT on the project.
“The goal is to take less waste to landfills. So let’s work together and make sure that this project is a success.”
Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Njabulo Maphumulo, said CPUT was taking a stand to create sustainable and greener campuses.
“This is a call for our campus community and those surrounding us to act now and go green.”
