The University has had an active paper recycling programme and in September 1998, was placed second (Service Category) in the Institute of Waste Management/EnviroServe Waste Minimisation awards as a result of its recycling efforts. Individual staff members or departments either refill printer and photocopy/fax cartridges or sell them to various companies for refilling.

In the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, a Recycling Fund has been established (current value is approximately R17 000) with income generated from selling waste paper and used cartridges. Students are allowed to access funds as short-term loans, to prevent them running into financial difficulties. They are made aware of the source of these funds.

Towards the end of 2000, a new waste removal policy was adopted whereby the Waste Removal Contractor removes all waste and sorts it into recycable and non-recyclable material. Since this project began the percentage of recycled waste has remained at 80% or above.

The Pietermaritzburg Campus has a very successful recycling programme.  Statistics from 2007 to 2009 are as follows:

WASTE RECYCLING: PIETERMARITZBURG CAMPUS

Total recycling 2010 

Total recycling 2008

Total recycling 2007

Congratulations are due to Ronnie Wilmans and his colleagues in the Custodial Services section of Facilities Management for the effort and time they put into this programme.

Thanks once again to all those members of the university who have made consistent efforts to ensure that the campus behaves in an environmentally responsible fashion.

Please increase your efforts to recycle as much campus waste material as possible during the year ahead. We are particularly keen to encourage students to participate in recycling.