Green Week a success - but surprising

The Green Week campaign at UCT has come and gone, leaving organisers happy but also shocked and surprised.

The week-long programme saw more than 200 people signing up to join the organising group, the Green Campus Initiative (GCI), which was started last year to take UCT to a carbon-neutral state.

The sustainable living expo was well attended; the Ridelink Initiative, which encourages single car drivers to join carpools, attracted lots of interest and will be operational by the end of the month; and the recycling programme promises to be the biggest project of its kind when up and running.

"Most inspiring was the enthusiasm of the students," said Susan Botha, one of the Department of Botany staff who started the GCI.

But the group was surprised by the poor turnout of staff, noted Botha.

"The campaign was for both staff and students, but not many staff members attended the events."

The Green Police, who were teaching people about recycling, were busy as ever tackling littering.

And the three Hummers that came to the Jammie Plaza took the organisers aback.

"The Hummers use a substantial amount of fuel, and their presence was not fitting for Green Week," Botha added.