CAPE MALL ACHIEVES NET ZERO WASTE CERTIFICATION

Liberty Promenade proudly announces its ground-breaking achievement as the first mall in the Western Cape to attain a Level 2 Net Zero Waste certification, accredited by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). This remarkable milestone is testament to the mall’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, setting new standards for the retail industry in the province.

With an impressive 91% waste diversion, which amounted to almost 900 tons of waste that was diverted from landfill in the past year, Liberty Promenade employs a multifaceted approach to waste management, combining waste minimization, recycling, and recovery strategies. This achievement reflects the mall’s dedication to implementing innovative solutions that address environmental challenges while positively impacting the community. In 2021, the mall was awarded a five-star Green Star EBP (existing building performance) rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa. 

Key initiatives that contributed to achieving the new certification include comprehensive tenant education programs, on-site recyclables separation facilities, and innovative composting systems for organic waste. Additionally, the mall has partnered with local organizations to tackle non-recyclable plastics, find markets for products that were historically non-recyclable and focus on the reduction of contamination at source through tenant training programmes. 

Liberty Promenade’s collaboration with local organizations has resulted in a significant portion of non-recyclable plastics being diverted from landfills and repurposed into filler compounds for use in concrete products. This pioneering approach not only reduces waste, but also contributes to the creation of sustainable construction materials, furthering Liberty Promenade’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

“We are thrilled to achieve this significant milestone, which reflects our collaborative efforts with tenants and local partners, including Wasteplan, Solid Green and Sow and Reap, who deserve recognition for the incredible contributions they made, with pioneering innovative solutions for waste management, that helped us reach this point” says Brian Unsted, Asset Manager: “This accomplishment not only showcases our commitment to sustainability, but also underscores Liberty Two Degrees’ dedication to driving positive change within the communities served by our retail properties,” he added.

Georgina Smit, Head of Technical at GBCSA, says: “Since our pilot projects in 2019, we have not yet seen any large development brave enough to take on this ambitious target. Hence we commend Liberty Two Degrees for embarking on this remarkable journey and committing to a bold sustainability goal. With more industry leaders like this, we can transition South Africa’s waste trajectory, and move away from landfills towards a more circular economy.”

Liberty Promenade’s Net Zero Waste certification distinguishes Liberty Promenade as a leader in environmental sustainability within the retail sector. While this accomplishment marks a milestone within the Liberty Two Degrees Portfolio, other malls within the portfolio are also working towards finalizing their accreditation, showcasing a collective commitment to advancing sustainability practices across the group.