The average South African produces between 30 to 50 kg of plastic per year, according to the WWF.
Stellenbosch University (SU) and the wider Stellenbosch community are looking at alternative ways of handling waste, as the Stellenbosch landfill is reaching full capacity.
According to GreenCape, a non-profit organisation which promotes sustainability projects in the Western Cape, the province generates an estimated 7.7 million tonnes of waste per annum. Only 10% hereof is recycled – although 65% is recyclable, and could therefore be diverted from landfills.
“Your town is doing very well on a scorecard, compared to other towns in the Boland,” says John Kieser, Plastics SA’s sustainability manager.
Roughly 56% of SU’s waste is recycled successfully with 44% ultimately ending up in landfills. Most bins on campus are designated for different types of waste: Recyclable, non-recyclable and food waste. From there it goes to a waste sorting facility outside of Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch University provides bins for different types of waste. Waste is then further sorted at a facility outside of Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Kara van der Berg
“Recycling is a vital way of ensuring we maintain space in our landfills for our unrecyclable refuge,” says Jaime Gray of EcoMaties Sustainability society. “In addition to this, recycling also requires less water and energy than landfill waste.”
However, recycling is not enough. “I think it must always be remembered that recycling is an ‘end of the pipe’ solution and does not actually deal with the problem of waste,” says Hamilton. “The only way we can really make a difference is by reducing the amount of waste that we generate to start off with.”
This is where zero waste ideas come into play. Zero waste does not mean producing no waste, but rather not producing waste which cannot be recycled or composted.
“It’s vitally important that we reduce our waste by looking at the way stuff is packaged, using our power as consumers and demanding less waste on our stuff,” Hamilton stresses.
“I think [zero waste] is a lofty ideal but we need lofty targets to see how far we can get. We need zero waste as we just do not have the space or areas for landfilling,” Kieser states.
The Stellenbosch landfill has almost reached its full capacity, which means waste produced in Stellenbosch will have to be transported to Wellington or Klapmuts. This will increase carbon emissions.
The Stellenbosch landfill, along with many others in the Western Cape, is almost at full capacity. This will mean that waste produced in Stellenbosch will have to be dumped elsewhere. PHOTO: Kara van der Berg
Zero waste emphasises the dangers of single use plastics, like grocery store bags and plastic straws. Plastic waste makes up 33% of all waste produced in the Western Cape. Most businesses in Stellenbosch now offer either biodegradable or paper straws.
“Thankfully there are many ways to minimise our waste on campus and in our day to day life,” says Gray. “Some simple ways would include reusable water bottles and straws and taking shopping bags when shopping.”
There are also various businesses in and around Stellenbosch which promote zero waste. ReapCo and Down to Earth are zero-waste food delivery services located in Stellenbosch.
“We can save so much energy, create jobs and reduce our carbon footprint by supporting recycling,” Kieser says.
*If you want to recycle your goods but don’t have a recycling, bin visit http://www.mywaste.co.za to find the closest recycling drop off points.