The 2Wise2Waste programme focuses on minimising actual environmental impacts of Government departments. This is done through interventions like retrofitting lighting and electrical appliances to improve efficiency, as well as effecting behavioural change to minimize resource usage and wastage by, for example, green procurement and recycling of paper and other recyclables.
Minister Essop also opened the Department's recently completed indigenous roof garden. This fledgling but impressive garden makes a bold statement about the environmental and social commitment of the Department, especially considering that elements of the garden were created by local artists and businesses using recycled materials. It is a multifunctional space, encompassing four indigenous vegetation communities; coastal thicket, strandveld, mountain fynbos and succulent karoo, arranged as in their natural setting and labeled, creating both an educational and recreational space for staff and their guests.
The garden provides great views, fresh air, a habitat for animals and the softening of the urban landscape. It further reduces stormwater flows in the City by taking up rainwater, and reduces electricity consumption by regulating internal building temperatures. The garden makes a great marketing statement to those who can see it from adjacent office blocks and from the street below about reducing environmental impacts, supporting social upliftment and the possibility of creating new environmentally friendly spaces never thought possible.
The 2Wise2Waste proramme brings home the Department's mandate to manage environmental impacts across the broader society. DEA&DP has been practicing this mandate by minimizing its own environmental impacts. Highlights so far have included the recycling of over 11 tonnes of paper, not to mention mixed materials (metal, plastic and glass) from the DEA&DP buildings, the retrofitting of lighting and the installation of timers on certain electrical appliances. The programme has been firmly grounded in the ongoing monitoring of electricity utilisation and waste generation and the complete buy-in and increased environmental awareness of all staff, who have made this programme work.
The rollout of the 2Wise2Waste programme to other departments will be initiated by calling for high level officials to be nominated as 2Wise2Waste champions. These champions are crucial for the success of the programme, as they will present 2Wise2Waste to their staff as well as driving the programme in their various departments through a learning approach with the necessary support from DEA&DP.
The champions will be responsible for the implementation of the programme objectives such as responsible waste management using waste minimization efforts that encourage efficient paper, energy and water usage. They will engage staff in activities such as waste separation, recycling, energy and plumbing retrofitting, the auditing of activities, double sided printing, the use of alternative fuel for cars and green procurement.This approach may be complemented by an instructive approach, where policies or instructions are distributed throughout the Departments in terms of business practices which need to be changed.
The Department firmly believes that 2Wise2Waste, through environmental education, waste minimization and recycling, energy and water efficiency, green building design and green procurement will become one of the key new 'practice what you preach' programmes for the provincial government of the Western Cape and all its employees.
For more information contact:
Roger Diamond
tel: 021 483 2901
Lynnette Johns
Ministerial Liaison Officer
tel: 483 3915
cell: 083 310 0113
