The City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management Directorate has applauded the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) for leading the way in the higher education sector with its commitment to a zero-waste to landfill initiative.
The celebration, held at CPUT’s Bellville Campus, showcased how universities can spearhead efforts to create a more sustainable future by embracing circular economy practices, separation-at-source systems, and campus-wide culture change.
Building a Culture of Sustainability
Speaking at the event, Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, stressed the importance of action over rhetoric.
“Hope is not in what we say, it is in what we do. If it cannot be reused, recycled, or composted, it does not belong in our future,” he said. “By engaging directly with students, we are growing a generation of environmentally-conscious citizens who understand that every small action – from separating recyclables to refusing single-use plastics – contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable Cape Town.”
The City praised CPUT for its leadership in separation-at-source practices and for creating awareness among young people who, as future leaders, will demand better and drive meaningful change.
Call for Broader Collaboration
Alderman Twigg emphasised that achieving a zero-waste future requires partnerships beyond universities. The City is urging businesses, institutions, and communities to rethink procurement and prioritise environmentally friendly products and services.
The City’s call to action includes:
-
Businesses: Move away from unsustainable suppliers and adopt compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable alternatives.
-
Universities and institutions: Integrate circular economy practices into operations and procurement.
-
Students and communities: Demand sustainable options and hold institutions accountable.
Protecting Cape Town’s Future
“Waste diversion – keeping recyclables, organics, and other recoverable materials out of landfill – is critical to extending the lifespan of Cape Town’s disposal sites and protecting the environment,” said Twigg. “Partnerships with institutions like CPUT strengthen our collective ability to build a greener future, and we thank the event organisers for shining a spotlight on this important issue for tomorrow’s leaders.”
Towards Zero-Waste
The City reaffirmed its commitment to working with innovators, academia, and the private sector to accelerate waste reduction efforts. Every ton of waste diverted from landfill and every single-use item avoided represents a step closer to a zero-waste Cape Town.