Sustainable Science Initiative

Two Years ofProof.

One vision. Two years. Four defining milestones.

Proof that world-class research and environmental responsibility can grow together, from a Cape Town lab bench to a continent-wide first.

12recycling streams

8M kgcarbon baseline, measured

174 kWpsolar installed

1stfully certified institute in Africa

Why this matters

Research has an environmental footprint too.

12 billion lbsof the world's plastic waste comes from life science research labs annually

10xmore energy used by labs than equivalent office space

4–5xmore water used by labs than equivalent office space

Scientific excellence carries a responsibility not only to human health, but to the health of our planet.

Where it started

The Sustainable Science Initiative, 2024

The IDM is UCT's largest research enterprise, 20+ distinct research groupings, working across 56 specialised laboratories, including BSL I, II and III facilities. That scale is exactly why, in 2024, IDM launched the Sustainable Science Initiative: a four-armed, Institute-wide commitment to reduce our environmental impact and set a standard for responsible research in Africa.

Energy & Water Monitoring

Waste & Recycling

Sustainable Procurement

Communication & Culture Change

Proof of Change

The Sustainability Working Group

Two recycling hubs (WBS Level 2, near the fire escape; WBN Level 1, opposite the kitchen) plus six floor-level stations across both buildings. A new hydration station. Reusable mugs. Recycling in every Lekgotla meeting room. And a cafeteria partnership with the Sweethearts Foundation, turning bottle caps, bread tags and coffee lids into funding for wheelchairs.

12waste streams now recycled

100,000+bottles/yr kept from landfill (estimate)

1,950+coffees served in reusable coffee cups since last year

Find guides here

II.

Proof of Accountability

Carbon Reporting

The IDM's first carbon baseline, the evidence base that shifts the SSI from broad sustainability action to a targeted, data-driven approach, and enables annual tracking of emissions reduction over time.

8,000,000 kgCO₂ — IDM's FY23 baseline

~9M lbscoal burned, equivalent

1,700homes' electricity use for a year, equivalent

III.

Proof of Energy

Solar on the Falmouth Building

A 174 kWp solar PV system with a 100kW battery, now live on the Falmouth Building roof.

210,000 kWhsaved annually

R525,000saved annually

190,000 kgCO₂e saved annually — ~100 cars off the road

IV.

Proof of Excellence

My Green Lab Certification

IDM is Africa's first fully My Green Lab–certified academic research institute, and now one of the largest academic green lab certification clusters on the continent. We have certified 19 labs in total. Next: Certification 2.0, a verified reporting and ROI measurement for energy, water, waste and carbon.

The numbers that define us

56Labs

19Lab Clusters

9Core Platforms

19Green Teams

2Nationwide Partnerships

12Recycling Streams

Get involved

Get Involved

Take part in the carbon footprint survey

Help build the evidence base.

Click here to complete & submit 2025 survey

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