The V&A Waterfront's Ambitious Move Towards Sustainability
The V&A Waterfront, a premier shopping and entertainment destination in Cape Town, South Africa, has recently pledged to eliminate singleuse plastics by 2025. This innovative decision is a significant step towards sustainability and sets an example for other establishments to follow.
The V&A Waterfront, a premier shopping and entertainment destination in Cape Town, South Africa, has recently pledged to eliminate single-use plastics by 2025. This innovative decision is a significant step towards sustainability and sets an example for other establishments to follow.
Targeting Single-Use Plastics
The V&A Waterfront’s initiative targets plastic barrier bags, shopping bags, straws, cutlery, stirrers, pallet wrap, earbuds with plastic stems, and lollipops with plastic sticks. Guided by the South African Plastics Pact (SAPP), this collaborative effort aims to foster a circular economy for plastic packaging.
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Waste Management and Recycling Efforts
To ensure the success of this initiative, the V&A Waterfront has a dedicated team of over 90 individuals responsible for collecting and sorting waste on the property. The precinct’s Waste Recovery and Recycling Centre is supported by 386 collection points throughout the site, and more than 550 bins are emptied twice daily. In addition, eco-bricks are utilized in construction projects, and the precinct has partnered with SAPP to co-fund and co-design the Return-on-the-Go Plastic Cup Project at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market.
Green Lease Agreement
The inclusion of the SAPP in the tenant lease agreement aligns with the V&A Waterfront’s strategic sustainability and development objectives. Existing tenants with lease renewals, as well as new tenants, are now bound by this green lease agreement. The agreement is being updated to reflect the precinct’s commitment to sustainability and to promote water and waste management, energy efficiency, and associated cost savings among tenants.
Net-Zero Emissions Goal
The V&A Waterfront’s portfolio comprises over 500,000 square meters of rentable commercial and retail space. Attracting high-quality tenants who embrace sustainability best practices is crucial as the precinct works to reduce its environmental impact. The ultimate goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035.
The V&A Waterfront’s bold step to eliminate single-use plastics demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation. By partnering with organizations like SAPP and implementing various eco-friendly initiatives, the precinct sets an example for other establishments to follow in the pursuit of a greener future.
Michael Jameson is a Cape Town-born journalist whose reporting on food culture traces the city’s flavours from Bo-Kaap kitchens to township braai spots. When he isn’t tracing spice routes for his weekly column, you’ll find him surfing the chilly Atlantic off Muizenberg with the same ease he navigates parliamentary press briefings.
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