SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Our Commitment

The University of Pretoria (UP) demonstrates a strong commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 12, which focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. UP integrates sustainability principles across its teaching, research, and operational activities, encouraging responsible consumption and production practices among students, faculty, and staff. In the realm of education, UP offers various courses and programs that incorporate sustainability and environmental stewardship, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to more sustainable consumption and production patterns. The university also engages in cutting-edge research aimed at developing innovative solutions to address challenges related to waste management, resource efficiency, and sustainable industrial practices. On the operational front, UP has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint and promote responsible resource use. These initiatives may include energy and water conservation measures, waste reduction and recycling programs, and the promotion of sustainable procurement practices. Furthermore, UP actively collaborates with local communities, government bodies, and industry partners to promote sustainability and contribute to the achievement of SDG 12 at the local, national, and global levels. Through these collaborative efforts, the university leverages its expertise and resources to drive positive change and contribute to the global movement towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Teaching and Learning

UP integrates the principles of SDG 12, which emphasizes responsible consumption and production, into its teaching and learning framework to foster a culture of sustainability among students and faculty. The university incorporates sustainability-related content across various disciplines, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to environmental stewardship and resource efficiency. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, students are equipped to understand the complexities of sustainable consumption and production and are empowered to contribute to more sustainable practices in their future professional endeavors. UP’s commitment to experiential learning also provides students with opportunities to engage in real-world projects and initiatives that address sustainability challenges, further embedding the principles of SDG 12 in the educational experience. Through these efforts, UP ensures that its graduates are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible and equipped to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Research

UP actively contributes to advancing SDG 12, which focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, through a wide array of research initiatives across different disciplines:

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Researchers at UP are involved in projects aiming to enhance the sustainability of agricultural practices and food systems. This includes work on sustainable farming techniques, improving crop yields with minimal environmental impact, and ensuring equitable access to nutritious food.
Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: UP conducts research on improving resource efficiency in various industries and promoting circular economy models. This includes studies on recycling, waste management, and the development of new materials and processes that minimize waste and environmental impact.
Sustainable Energy and Water Usage: There is ongoing research at UP focused on developing and promoting sustainable energy and water usage practices. This includes work on renewable energy technologies, water conservation, and ensuring access to clean energy and water resources.
Environmental Policy and Governance: UP is involved in research that informs policy and governance related to environmental sustainability, contributing to the development of strategies and frameworks that promote responsible consumption and production.

Community Outreach

UP actively engages in community outreach activities related to SDG 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. These outreach efforts are designed to extend the impact of the university’s work beyond the campus, directly benefiting local communities and contributing to broader societal change.

Education and Awareness Programs: UP conducts workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns aimed at educating local communities about the importance of sustainable consumption and production. These programs often focus on practical skills and knowledge, such as waste reduction, recycling, sustainable farming practices, and energy conservation.
Capacity Building: The university works to build the capacity of local communities, particularly in underserved areas, empowering them to adopt more sustainable practices. This includes training programs, mentorship, and providing access to resources and expertise.
Student Involvement: UP encourages its students to get involved in community outreach activities related to SDG 12. This not only provides practical experience for the students but also helps to amplify the impact of the university’s outreach efforts.
Support for Local Initiatives: UP provides support and resources to local initiatives and community groups working towards sustainable consumption and production. This might include financial support, technical expertise, or access to the university’s facilities and networks.

Ethical Sourcing Policy

The University spends large amounts of money on the procurement of goods and services annually. It is essential that purchasing is conducted in a consistent, ordered, transparent, responsible and cost effective manner in order to avoid fruitless and wasteful expenditure. This Policy provides for the procurement of goods and services at the University, with particular emphasis on the benefits to be derived from economies of scale and obtaining value for money when procuring goods and services for the institution. In addition, the Policy incorporates the University’s approach to preferential procurement in supporting Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment. Specifically, on Page 14 under General (3^rd paragraph): “It is important to note that where tenders are awarded, the University is contractually bound to procure the goods or services from the appointed staff. If there are deviations from these agreements, the University may be guilty of breach of contract with the resultant consequences. All PURCO SA contracts fall under the categories mentioned above. Examples of items for which there are separate agreements include printing material, cleaning agents, paper, food, tyres, diaries, courier services, flights, car rental, stationery and gas. This policy is available on this link.

A recent economic analysis estimated that food loss and waste (FLW) in South Africa are estimated at 9.04 million tonnes per year, or 177kg per capita per year. Globally, around 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, while an estimated 17% of total global food production is wasted – 11% by households, 5% in food service, and 2% in retail, according to the United Nations. Dr Honest Machekano, Lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria, said it is important to separate food loss and waste. “Whichever food value chain you look at, food loss occurs from the point of crop maturity up to wholesale market, whereas food waste refers to a decrease in the quantity or quality of food suitable for human consumption as a result of decisions and actions by retailers, food service providers and consumers post-wholesale.”

Policy Waste Disposal (Hazardous Materials)

Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure: The purpose of the hazardous waste disposal safe operating procedure of the University of Pretoria is to provide a systematic framework for environmental management commitments and to provide environmental sustainability through the management and operations of the hazardous waste removal term contractor. Page 5 (Clause 8.1 – Chemical Waste): When a person or department have chemical waste that needs to be removed the person must complete a Chemical Waste Destruction Request (CWDR) and send it via e-mail to the Environmental Management and Waste Management department at the University of Pretoria. Page 10 (Clause 8.2 – Biomedical Waste): Biomedical waste is any kind of waste containing infectious (or potentially infectious) materials. It may also include waste associated with the generation of biomedical waste that visually appears to be of medical or laboratory origin (e.g., packaging, unused bandages, infusion kits, etc.), as well research laboratory waste containing biomolecules or organisms that are restricted from environmental release. As detailed below, discarded sharps are considered biomedical waste whether they are contaminated or not, due to the possibility of being contaminated with blood and their propensity to cause injury when not properly contained and disposed of. Biomedical waste is a type of biowaste. Page 14 (Clause 8.3 – Pharmaceutical Waste): Pharmaceutical waste means unused medicines, medications and residues of medicines that are no longer usable as medication. A pharmaceutical register must be filled in and this must accompany the application for waste removal to the Environment and waste Management department. Page 14 (Clause 8.4 – Zoonotic Waste): Safe containment and packaging of waste should be performed as close as possible to the point of generation. Staff should avoid opening containers to manipulate the waste after primary containment.
Standard Operating Procedures on Environmental Management: The standard operating procedures for the environment at the University is based on the Environmental Policy of the University of Pretoria. The policy defines that a system for managing the entire environmental field at the University be put into place to achieve governance, control and compliance to environmental statutory and other regulations. The standard operating procedures will apply to all the relevant stakeholders at the University and their respected places of business belonging to, owned or managed by the University. Page 3 (Section C – clause c): Hazardous waste – is waste, which has the potential, even in low concentrations, to have a significant adverse effect on public health and the environment because of its inherent toxicological, chemical and physical characteristics. Page 5 (Section D.1.2): This section discusses all the relevant points pertaining Hazardous Waste comprehensively.

Policy Waste Disposal (Landfill Policy)

Standard Operating Procedures on Environmental Management: The standard operating procedures for the environment at the University is based on the Environmental Policy of the University of Pretoria. The policy defines that a system for managing the entire environmental field at the University be put into place to achieve governance, control and compliance to environmental statutory and other regulations. The standard operating procedures will apply to all the relevant stakeholders at the University and their respected places of business belonging to, owned or managed by the University. Page 3 (Section C – clause c): Hazardous waste – is waste, which has the potential, even in low concentrations, to have a significant adverse effect on public health and the environment because of its inherent toxicological, chemical and physical characteristics. Page 5 (Section D.1.2): This section discusses all the relevant points pertaining Hazardous Waste comprehensively. Page 6 (Section D.1.3): This section discusses all the relevant points pertaining Recycling comprehensively.

Policy for Minimization of Plastic Use

Standard Operating Procedures on Environmental Management: The standard operating procedures for the environment at the University is based on the Environmental Policy of the University of Pretoria. The policy defines that a system for managing the entire environmental field at the University be put into place to achieve governance, control and compliance to environmental statutory and other regulations. The standard operating procedures will apply to all the relevant stakeholders at the University and their respected places of business belonging to, owned or managed by the University. Page 3 (Section C – clause c): Hazardous waste – is waste, which has the potential, even in low concentrations, to have a significant adverse effect on public health and the environment because of its inherent toxicological, chemical and physical characteristics. Page 5 (Section D.1.2): This section discusses all the relevant points pertaining Hazardous Waste comprehensively. Page 6 (Section D.1.3): This section discusses all the relevant points pertaining Recycling comprehensively. Plastic used is discussed on Page 3 (Section C – clause h).
The University of Pretoria (UP) uses several mechanisms to manage general waste collection and removal from the various campuses. The aim of these mechanisms is to reduce the University carbon footprint by minimising general waste which goes to landfill. Waste is separated into various categories for recycling, namely aluminium (cool drink tins), paper and cardboard, glass and plastic. The university’s Department of Facilities Management (Campus Services Division) engages the entire campus community in efforts to reduce waste to landfill through recycling and waste management programmes.

Policy for Minimization of Disposable Items

Environmental Policy: The purpose of the environmental policy of the University of Pretoria is to provide a systematic framework for environmental management commitments and to promote environmental sustainability. Establishing and operating an Environmental Management System that effectively manages any activity, product or service that has, or may potentially have an environmental impact. The EMS will ensure that these activities, products and services are identified, managed, monitored and reviewed to facilitate continuous improvement in the environmental performance of the University. Ensuring compliance with legal and other requirements and monitoring and reviewing the environmental performance of the University on a regular basis.