Today (05 June) marks World Environment Day, an initiative started by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) in 1974. Over the years, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

World Environment Day is an important day worldwide to create awareness and take action for the protection of our environment. The theme for 2018 is #BeatPlasticPollution.

John de Wet, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Stellenbosch University (SU), gave some insight on the many initiatives at SU to help reduce plastic and other pollution.

Given the theme of this year's World Environment Day, how much reduction has there been in the use of plastic on all campuses?

Plastic is one of the compounds in our recycling programme. Our aim is that only 20% of our waste is diverted into landfill sites and the rest is diverted into our recycling programme. However, that is not the case. At Tygerberg and Bellville Park campuses, we have a recycling rate of 60% and only 40% goes to landfills. About two years ago at Stellenbosch campus, we had a 60/40 recycling rate ratio, but that has since reduced. We are recycling less than 50% at the moment, so our amounts to landfill sites have increased which is a huge concern. We need to turn that around again. In terms of plastic waste on campuses, at Tygerberg, we have 20% of the waste made out of plastic, at Bellville Park 12%, and at Stellenbosch only about 10%.

What has been the response of the campus community (students and staff) in reducing plastic waste?

Around all campuses, we've rolled out the three-bin recycling system. We've also started putting the three bins inside some buildings, for recyclable, non-recyclable and food waste items. It is, however, an effort to train people how to use it. They are still using the wrong bins and putting the wrong stuff in the bins. We have actually started with an awareness program, putting up some signs and putting up some samples of plastic or food waste that you can put into the bins.

What environmental projects or initiatives are currently available on all campuses?

We have been busy over the last five years with environmental projects. At the moment, the water crisis is our biggest priority, so we do many projects on saving water. We also have projects on effective waste removals, using more green energy at campus buildings, keeping our rivers clean and creating more environmentally friendly new buildings.

How successful is SU in its efforts to create a more sustainable environment on all its campuses?

I always believe you cannot manage it if you cannot measure it. Therefore, we are busy installing a whole lot of electronic water meters and energy meters to gauge our saving efforts. In the end, it will help us see what effect all these environmental projects have on our campuses, and to see if we are actually saving. Over the last five years, I think SU has done a lot and hopefully we can increase and improve our efforts even more.

What would your message be on days like World Environment Day?

In our daily routine, we must look at the triangle of energy, water and waste and try to use less. Try to reuse something if you can and make use of renewable energy sources. Also, try to reuse grey water for toilets, use paper instead of plastic and try to have less impact on your resources. We should not use up the next generation's resources; only use your own resources that are available today. 

Photo by Rozanne Engel