​​This week, students at Stellenbosch University will run a huge recycling programme as part of EcoWeek – a week-long campaign aimed at promoting awareness of sustainable practices. ​​

EcoWeek, running from 4 to 9 March, is a collaborative initiative between Golden Key Stellenbosch, the United Nations Association of South Africa Stellenbosch, EcoMaties, Academics for Development and MatiesPAW.

The main form of communication will be the various social media platforms of all the societies, particularly Facebook and Instagram.

EcoMaties' opening function today at 18:00 serves as the launch event and will include a panel discussion with Misha Teasdale from Greenpop, a tree-planting initiative. The discussion will focus on environmental issues that will be addressed throughout the week. It will also be live-streamed on all the aforementioned social media platforms, such as www.facebook.com/ecomaties/.

Recycling Collection Challenge

The main event, running throughout the week, is a Recycling Collection Challenge, to which all residences and private student organisations (PSOs) have been invited to participate.

“All residences and PSOs have been invited to participate by collecting as much recyclable materials (such as paper, glass, cardboard, etc.) as possible and by showing the collection progress on our social media platforms by adding #EcoWeek, followed by the hashtags for all the relevant societies, residences or PSOs. There is a prize for the residence, society or PSO that collects the most recycling," Mr Jannu Nieman, the service director for Golden Key, explained.  

Various other events will be hosted throughout the week, including a beach clean-up at Strand beach on 9 March from 11:00 to 14:00 and a Day-with-the-Dogs, organised by MatiesPAW, on 5 March at the Rooiplein from 11:00 to 14:00.  

“During the week, our social media platforms will be releasing tips on how to be eco-friendly, run polls on some of the bigger issues regarding our environment, and of course post photos of our events," Mr Nieman adds.

“With this collaboration, we hope to inspire a more sustainable lifestyle among our fellow students; to show them the benefits and possibilities of living an environmentally friendly life and shine a light on those who make such a lifestyle possible."

For further information, please contact Jannu Nieman at 19835825@sun.ac.za or 082 524 ​9880