Facilities Management
Environmental sustainability at Stellenbosch University
Our aim:
To ensure that environmental sustainability is one of the cornerstones in all aspects of Stellenbosch University’s operations, training and research, it is essential to engage the campus community to accept responsibility for the environment.
Projects & programmes
Food gardens
The three food gardens – one at Tygerberg and two at Stellenbosch – are managed by the students. They help to create awareness about growing vegetables and are also places of recreation and spaces to hold conversations about sustainability.
The Facilities Management division piloted the food garden project in 2018, by providing a gardening area, seedlings, and tools for students to establish their plots.
Tours
Regular tours are held during which staff and students are invited to visit the main waste recycling facility on campus, the solar photovoltaic installation on the roof of the Neelsie student centre, and structures which are part of the Green Buildings initiative. The tours are aimed at enabling campus members to experience the behind-the-scenes operations of these different initiatives and to see first hand how individual behaviour can contribute to reducing the collective carbon footprint.
Utility report/ behaviour change
Weekly utilities reports are sent to staff and students involved in the residences and student houses to inform them of their utility usage and to promote behaviour change.
Green Living Awards
An awards system has been implemented with student communities (residences, Private Student Organisations and university houses) to change behaviour in order to reduce our carbon footprint.
What can you do to help:
- Join committees and initiatives to make the campus greener.
- Become a champion for sustainability and influence others.
Contact the Service Desk (021 808 4666) for further information or send an e-mail to groen_green@sun.ac.za.