August is sustainability month at UCT residences

An awareness campaign focused on sustainability in UCT residences, and centred on the themes of electricity, water and waste, kicks off this week.

The Student Housing & Residence Life (SH&RL) Sustainability Month (from 3 to 31 August), which is being held in partnership with the Department of Student Affairs and the Green Campus Initiative, follows the signing in April of a sustainability pledge. Signatories of this pledge include director of SH&RL, Grant Willis, and head of student affairs, Moonira Khan.

The campaign starts on Friday with a workshop where residence staff will be made aware of their role in the implementation of green initiatives at residences. They will be given practical tips on how they can contribute to ensure the sustainability of residences.

For three Wednesdays starting on 15 August public lectures addressing the three themes will be held at various venues around campus.

According to the organisers the campaign is not just about making UCT students and staff aware, but also advising them on what they can do to promote sustainability specifically at residences.