Earth Day is an international event celebrated annually on the 22^nd of April as a global reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the environment. It was first celebrated on the 22^{nd of} April 1970 and has grown into a worldwide movement aimed at raising awareness and encouraging action on environmental issues.

Tuesday, April 22nd 2025, marked the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. The aim of this celebration was to educate and mobilise society in addressing critical environmental challenges, with a particular focus on the growing concern of electronic waste, an issue that has emerged alongside rapid technological advancement.

In support of Earth Day, the Department of Facilities Management at the University of Pretoria (UP) launched an “Earth Day E-waste Drive” to focus on one of the fastest-growing waste streams in South Africa, and that is “electronic waste”. The call was: “Don’t trash it, Reboot it” with an invitation to bring “old phones, chargers, alkaline batteries, etc” so that they could be disposed of responsibly. UP Campus Tours (UPCT) responded to the call and participated in this meaningful initiative by donating electronic gadgets to the collection point run by Garfield Theunis and Miliswa Puling of the Department of Facilities Management. This initiative not only promoted environmental consciousness but also aligned perfectly with UPCT’s 2025 theme, ‘Going Green’, which emphasises sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

By taking part in events like these, UPCT continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship and inspires others within the University community to take proactive steps toward a greener future.