The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has adopted a three-bin system at all its major campuses to do its bit for the environment.

The colour-coded bins for organic, general and recyclable waste will be at the Bellville, District Six, Wellington, Granger Bay and Mowbray campuses. The system was launched during the university’s Waste Education Week from Monday June 10 to Friday June 14.

“Waste management is a critical issue affecting us all. By reducing our waste, the land currently used for waste disposal could be better repurposed for housing and industrial development, but we cannot do this alone,” said mayoral committee member for urban waste Grant Twigg at the Bellville campus launch.

“Collaborative efforts between local municipalities and thought leaders like CPUT are crucial to tackling waste-management challenges, and I am incredibly proud of CPUT for leading by example.”

CPUT executive management member Professor Driekie Hay-Swemmer said: “Currently, the university only recycles 2.8% of our waste. With limited landfill space and an urgent need to care for Mother Earth, it is essential that we encourage all our students to be passionate about their recycling efforts.”

At the District Six campus, Candice Moster, a project leader for Better Bellville Together, a City-funded programme, said waste could be transformed into resources, helping to create jobs, bring down costs and protect the environment.

Also at the District Six campus were the three Bachelor of Education students, Johalize Krugel, Marcé McCallum and Dané Hart, who came up with the concept as part of their studies.

“Our issue was to address the wrongful disposal of waste in the Bellville community and we reached out to the BBT team who assisted us with an action plan on the project” said Ms Krugel.

“It is an exciting project and a good initiative especially for us as future educators, and educating the future of South Africa is the best thing we can do.”

At the Bellville launch of the the three-bin project, from left, are CPUT students Babalwa Mqakelana and Thuloana Masitha with Bingo, the City’s anti-litter mascot, and mayoral committee member for urban waste management Grant Twigg.

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CPUT goes green with three-bin system