The Go Green @ DUT posters and pledge were really helpful and may, in time and with sustained effort, install an ethos of “keeping it green” amongst the DUT community.

This is the word from Dr Poovie Reddy, DUT Community Health Studies HOD, who formed part of the task team that initiated the Go Green @ DUT project which kicked off on July 30, 2012. The initiative seeks to promote social responsibility by adopting a sustainable solution to the waste management problem at the University. The campaign is currently being piloted at the Ritson and Steve Biko campuses and will be evaluated at the end of the year before being rolled out at other campuses.

“The recycling bins in the food court areas and Steve Biko Campus have been successful to an extent. I think that it is important to persevere with this initiative. I believe that there needs to be a committed individual at DUT allocated to waste management and recycling to ensure that good practice is sustained. The lesson learned is that education about these waste or environmental issues is the only way to change perception and practice. We need to include these aspects in our curriculum or general education or at orientation”, said Dr Reddy.

David Chilton, Civil Engineering student said it is a good thing that DUT adopted this initiative. He said many people make a living from selling recyclables to different organisations. “My mom keeps five bins for different recyclable material. She is always talking about ways of saving the environment”, he said.

–Nomvula Sikakane
Pictured: DUT Environmental Health Studies students during the campus clean-up campaign which took place during the launch of the Go Green @ DUT project in June this year.