6 December 2006
After the successful efforts of the Department of Environmental Affairs and
Development Planning (DEAandDP) to reduce the environmental impacts of its own
operations through its 2Wise2Waste programme, the Minister of Environment,
Planning and Economic Development, Ms Tasneem Essop, today, Tuesday, 5 December
2006, launched the rollout of the 2Wise2Waste programme to the rest of the
Provincial Government of the Western Cape.
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 minimise 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 labelled, 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 programme brings home the Department's mandate to manage
environmental impacts across the broader society. DEAandDP has been practising
this mandate by minimising 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 DEAandDP 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, which 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 DEAandDP.
The champions will be responsible for the implementation of the programme
objectives such as responsible waste management using waste minimisation
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 minimisation 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.
Enquiries:
Roger Diamond
Tel: (021) 483 2901
Lynnette Johns
Tel: (021) 483 3915
Cell: 083 310 0113
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning,
Western Cape Provincial Government
6 December 2006
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
