Picture more than 30,000 students and staff going about their daily affairs across 5 campuses. Studying, working, eating, chatting – and constantly generating waste while they’re doing so. From single-use plastic bottles to leftover coffee and snacks, from stacks of printed exam papers to flat AA batteries and broken phone cables… Not to mention the discarded art supplies, or glass and hazardous waste from chemical laboratories and medical facilities.

How is it possible to consistently achieve a waste diversion rate of 76%? How is it possible to achieve a 6-Green Star rating on a heritage building that was constructed in 1905? Well, these achievements require strategic and comprehensive efforts, with effective waste management playing a pivotal role – and that’s where WastePlan comes in.

How WastePlan supports Stellenbosch University

One of the leading academic institutions in South Africa, Stellenbosch University has taken bold steps to reduce its environmental footprint. As part of its Environmental Sustainability Plan (which targets carbon neutrality by 2030 and net-zero status by 2050) the university’s 6,731m² Visual Arts Building recently earned a 6-Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA),  as part of a broader initiative to certify 18 existing buildings.

WastePlan has been the university’s trusted partner for years. According to John de Wet, “WastePlan as a service provider has been instrumental in achieving our targets. Together we implemented infrastructure systems, good management practices, awareness campaigns, and training that resulted in behavioural changes, contributing to successful waste management practices.”

These include:

1. Holistic Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) strategy: Collaborating with university management to implement and continually adapt waste reduction strategies.
2. Training and awareness: Conducting ongoing training sessions for students and facility staff to fully adopt the sorting-at-source system.
3. Centralised waste sorting facility: Establishing an on-site facility with experienced staff to optimise recycling processes.
4. Alternative solutions for vendors: Finding alternatives for non-recyclable plastics.
5. Accurate reporting: Providing verifiable, real-time data through a user-friendly platform that empowers university management to track progress regularly and make informed decisions.

“It takes a huge effort to continuously measure and analyse the data. We use this to change systems and packaging materials, resulting in maximising diversion rates,” notes De Wet.

WastePlan also offers other benefits:

1. Waste-to-value programs: Rebates for recyclable materials lower overall waste management costs.
2. Regulatory compliance: Partnerships with certified service providers ensure all operations meet legal standards.
3. Innovative waste reduction: A specialist team continually finds new opportunities for recycling and repurposing – to drastically reduce waste and create new value streams.
   

The broader impact of environmental stewardship

Waste management is a critical component of environmental stewardship, with ripple effects across communities, industries, and ecosystems. By embedding sustainability into the students’ daily habits during their time on campus, universities like Stellenbosch are shaping individuals who will carry this mindset into their personal and professional lives.

Collaborative partnerships like the one between Stellenbosch University and WastePlan therefore demonstrate how tailored approaches can drive broad and meaningful change – turning waste challenges into long-term positive impact.

If you also have an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and want to set new sustainability standards for your industry – contact WastePlan today!