Stellenbosch University

Part of our Profiled Universities

Institution: Stellenbosch University 

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa 

Focus Area: Waste valorisation and process engineering 

Expertise: Waste valorisation and process engineering

Key Projects:

Research

• Department of Process Engineering - There is a circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. focus in the Department related to the valorisation of by-products and waste, and re-integrating these materials into value chains and processes. There are three main research focus areas in the Waste Valorisation group:

  1. Waste tyre conversion to high-value chemicals

  2. Electronic waste processing for metal recovery (lithium, gold, copper)

  3. Biological waste utilization (including wastewater, agricultural residues, fishery waste, etc.) Find out more.

• Water Institute - Waste-water research (agricultural and biological systems, water harvesting, municipal waste-water treatment).

• Department of Animal Science - Aquaponics as a circular economy system.

Teaching

Related circular economy topic areas are taught in various faculties and as part of existing undergraduate modules, including the Faculty of Engineering (Environmental Engineering), the Faculty of AgriSciences (nutrient and water recycling, sustainable agriculture, silviculture, soil and water management) and the Faculty of Law (covering legal matters related to waste management and recycling, Sustainable Development Law covers issues related to developmental challenges, including waste management and re-use).

Campus Management

Biodiversity forms part of Stellenbosch University's ecological sustainability strategy and includes objectives such as rehabilitating 90% of eroded areas, increasing local, endemic species by 20% and increasing the living microorganisms in the soil of garden areas. To achieve these objectives, the University has implemented the following:

• Planting of indigenous species: 10 hectares of land on the Tygerberg Campus already consists of indigenous fynbos and two hectares of Karoo veld has been retained on the Worcester Campus. Additionally, invasive species in the mountains and rivers are controlled on all campuses.Renewable sources are used for paper purchases.

• Erecting owl and bat boxes to encourage diversity and natural pest control (on campuses).

• Using food and compost waste in campus gardens.

• Continuous tree planting on campuses as part of new projects.

• Stellenbosch University also has a range of wider sustainability initiatives, including

  greywater capture and reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification. which has resulted in a 35% reduction in water usage, (more information).

Connect with:

Neill Goosen, Director ARUA Centre of Excellence in Energy (njgoosen@sun.ac.za / arua@sun.ac.za)