The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Real Estate Management resumed the operation of the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, across its six campuses. Students and staff of DUT actively participated in the RVM project, which is a significant initiative in the university’s green revolution, promoting environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.

The goal is to maintain a clean and sustainable environment across all six campuses, reducing waste and promoting a healthier environment. This initiative launched last year, in October 2024 does not only benefit the university but also fosters a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness among the DUT community, benefiting both students and staff.

Louis de Waal, a senior technician from the Department of Video Technology at DUT highlighted the importance of implementing the RVM at City campus. “The RVM promotes environmental awareness, encourages recycling, and helps maintain a cleaner campus. It also motivates students and staff to collect cans and bottles, providing an opportunity for students to earn extra cash while learning about sustainability,” he said.

He stated that he expected an increase in awareness and active participation from both staff and students, which would subsequently lead to a cleaner campus environment. Furthermore, he expressed his expectation that the volume of recyclables collected would rise significantly, with the machine serving as a central hub for environmental action on campus.

The Orientation Programme will introduce first-year students to the RVM through interactive demonstrations, ensuring they understand its purpose and benefits. Additionally, a ‘Recycle to Win’ campaign will be launched, offering rewards or a prize to the first student who accumulates 20kg of recyclable waste on the IMAGINED EARTH application system.

“I am excited about the official opening, as it marks a significant milestone and validates all the hard work that has gone into this project. It’s inspiring to see how an idea can grow and transform into a moment of pride for the entire DUT community,” De Waal explained.

He stated that the City campus had a high participation due to the strong involvement of both staff and students, and attributed this to the campus’ smaller size, which facilitated easier interaction and fostered a close-knit community. De Waal further mentioned that they had created a space for students to share creative recycling ideas. Additionally, he noted that he would introduce a ‘Green Corner’ near the machine, featuring educational resources to showcase the campus’s commitment to sustainability.

Sbahle Masinga, a DUT Real Estate Management Intern, expressed excitement about the RVM initiative’s potential growth. The initiative promotes sustainability and environmental responsibility, allowing students and staff to track their contributions and receive rewards through the Imagined Earth App. This combination of environmental benefits and personal rewards motivates students to build a more sustainable campus.

“The decision to introduce more machines will depend on the level of engagement shown by the DUT community both students and staff. The more the current machines are used, the greater the opportunity to expand the programme, particularly at high-performing campuses like Steve Biko and City campus. The success and future expansion of this initiative will be driven by the collective involvement and commitment of the DUT community, and we are excited to see how this collaboration can further our sustainability goals,” she explained.

She stated that the RVM project was a groundbreaking step towards enhancing sustainability at DUT, and they were thrilled to share their bold plans for 2025. This year, they would be launching “Green Fridays”, a fun and competitive initiative where campuses would compete to achieve the highest recycling rates, with top participants and those who inspired others to join the cause being rewarded with exciting incentives.

She further noted that they would be collaborating with DUT vendors to ensure that the items they sold could be recycled through the RVMs, and informative posters would be placed in residences to encourage widespread participation. To maintain engagement, they would host educational workshops, recycling challenges, and collaborate with departments across the university, while also sharing monthly recycling reports on Pinboard and social media to celebrate top-performing campuses and individuals.

Ndalo Gumede, a student from Applied Screen Arts and Technology at DUT, praised the implementation of the RVM at City campus, saying it greatly benefited him in 2024. “I was unfamiliar with the RVM project, but looking at other students recycling motivated me to participate. In fact, I was able to buy data in December using the rewards I earned from the RVM,” he explained.

Staff members at City campus are excited for the re-opening of the Reverse Vending Machine, as the university prepares for the 2025 academic year.

Pictured: ‘Recycle, earn, repeat’ with the DUT Reverse Vending Machine (RVM)

Phiwayinkosi Sibiya