In a bid to encourage the university community to join the “Go Green” campus initiatives, the Real Estate Management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) successfully launched the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) Project outside the Alan Pittendrigh Library, Steve Biko campus on Friday, 04 October 2024. This was project was spearheaded by the RVM Project Team who were instrumental in the success of the launch.

A revolutionary Reverse Vending Machine situated near the entrance of the Alan Pittendrigh Library was unveiled to the university community. Facilitating this momentous launch was Ms Hlamarisa Kubayi, Director of Facilities and Maintenance at DUT and Mr Deon Chetty from the DUT Information and Communications Technology unit.

According to Chetty the RVM Project is a massive DUT initiative that boarders on the “Go Green” lifestyle that DUT has adopted.

Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations delivering her opening remarks at the RVM Project launch.

In her opening remarks, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at DUT expressed her excitement on the launch of the RVMs, which the university community have seen across six campuses in Durban and Midlands.

“I am happy that we found a way in which we can make sure that our campuses are clean, while also contributing to the greening programme not just of DUT but a broader programme in our country,” said Dr Mthethwa as she wished the RVM Project success.

Giving the overview of the RVM Project in line the ENVISION2030 strategy was the Real Estate Management Director, Mr Thabani Mhlongo. He indicated that introducing the RVM Project was their way of contributing to the university.

“Sustainability is one of the four perspectives of the university strategy. We thought of what our contribution as students, academics, support and as a university should be to the sustainability perspective. So, for us it was how do we bring to life the sustainability perspective and make sure that it was not just a theoretical exercise somewhere, but it became more practical and fun. We agreed that going forward in anything that we do there must be that aspect of sustainability. As we roll out the infrastructure, we want to introduce this concept. From the energy side we will be rolling out the green energy initiatives that we have started. The idea was to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel by introducing green energy. On the water side we will be launching our water reduction initiatives,” explained Mr Mhlongo.

He shared that the RVM Project was part of their contribution on reducing waste within the campus, making it beneficial to the university community. Mr Mhlongo revealed that the RVM Project came to life last year after and they had done their research and formulated the concept.

“It is part of the DUT campuses going green. We will be launching the Go Green Fridays. Each one of us, let’s get into the habit of recycling and reducing the waste within the university. As we launch this machine, our request is simple, that all of us must become ambassadors of the green campus initiatives. We want to make recycling not theoretical but practical,” added Mr Mhlongo.

Dr Mal Reddy who is an RVM Project Team member introduced the keynote speaker, Dr Sean O’Donoghue. She indicated that he holds a doctorate in Marine Pelagic Ecology. He is currently the Senior Manager: Climate Adaptation Branch at the eThekwini Municipality. He spoke on the global and national significance of the RVM Project.

“As students you might not think you have agency in the global climate change debate but you really do. Think of people like Greta Thunberg, who was just a regular learner going to school, who was really concerned about climate change and started the whole movement on Fridays. Looking at how big that has grown shows you the power of the tools that you have, such as social media to make your voice heard. I encourage you to follow that pathway and get involved not just in the international space but also locally. Make the noise here at eThekwini Municipality, make sure that people like myself who are working at the municipality are held to account for their failures but are also rewarded for their successes,” said Dr O’Donoghue.

He indicated that the RVM contributes to the reduction of the use of fossil fuels since every recyclable item put in the machine would result to less waste being transported to the landfill sites which requires fuel. He believes that the less waste being transported, the fewer emissions will be created. He encouraged the university community to do their bit in contributing to solving the bigger problem of fuel emissions. He also advised that the waste collected can be taken and turned into something valuable. He believes such machines can also benefit the society if they can be placed in centres and malls where people collecting waste can be rewarded and not have to stress about transporting the waste. Dr O’Donoghue feels through this project, DUT can build mutually beneficial partnerships and make an impact in the society.

REM intern, Sbahle Masinga demonstrating how the RVM works.

Demonstrating to the guests how the machine works and getting the university community excited about recycling and being rewarded for it was Ms Sbahle Masinga, a Real Estate Management Intern at DUT. She gave insight on recyclable and non-recyclable items while taking the guests through the easy steps of recycling and how they can start earning digital cash through the Imagined Earth app.

In closing, Ms Kubayi thanked all the esteemed guests, organisers and the DUT community for their commitment in making the event a success.

Students were treated to a fun filled day with entertainment and prizes while being encouraged to be part of this transformative movement.

For the DUT Midlands community the RVM Project will be launched at the Indumiso campus Library on Friday, 11 October 2024.

Pictured: From left to right, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at DUT, Dr Sean O’Donoghue, Senior Manager: Climate Adaptation Branch at the eThekwini Municipality, Mr Thabani Mhlongo, Director: Real Estate Management at DUT Mr Kishan Singh, CEO MetPac launching the Reverse Vending Machine Project.

Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese.

Simangele Zuma