Sustainable procurement is one of the Environmental Policy directives. Rhodes University is committed to reducing its ecological footprint in terms of its procurement practices. RU Infrastucture and Operations Division is responsible for implementing water sustainability measures in line with the Policy. This includes supporting opportunities for sustainable procurement by purchasing products and contracting services that will assist where possible in reducing the University’s environmental impact.
Wise-buying resources and ideas for reducing individual impact
-
Story of Stuff: fact-filled 20-minute video on the links between our production and consumption patterns.
-
Rich-and-famous Lifestyles: the links between lifestyles and environmental sustainability concerns.
-
Healthy happy chickens: Free range chicken and egg farming.
-
Wise buying: Tips for more sustainable purchasing.
-
Paper: Use devices over paper notes as best possible
-
Cleaning & Beauty: Tips for low impact cleaning products.
Many household cleaning agents are harmful to environmental and human health. Rather consider environmentally friendly alternatives available, see:
Alternative DIY green cleaning products:
- All-purpose surface cleaner (kitchens, bathrooms, etc): Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda onto dirty surface and scrub with damp cloth or scouring pad. For tough dirt, add coarse salt and rub hard.
- Carpet cleaner: Hang rug outside and beat with a broom. For spills, sprinkle corn meal generously over affected area, leave for 15 minutes, then vacuum. For dirty spots, beat together 70ml liquid soap + 80 ml water until foamy and spray onto affected area, then rinse with vinegar.
- Carpet deodoriser: Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or corn starch onto carpet (approx 250 ml in a medium-sized room), leave for at least 30 minutes, then vacuum.
- Disinfectant: Use mixture of 40ml liquid soap + 20-30 drops tea tree oil + 500 ml water.
- Drain cleaner: Pour 125 ml of bicarbonate of soda into smelly drain, followed by 500 ml boiling water. For extra action, add vinegar and cover tightly (to contain the fizz), then flush with a couple of litres of boiling water. (See also: all-purpose surface cleaner, oven cleaner, silver cleaner.)
- Floor cleaner: Use mixture of 70 ml white vinegar + 1 litre warm water, in a spray bottle. Dampen an old towel or cloth and mop floor.
- Oven cleaner: Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda + water. Apply to surface and leave for 12 hours. Wearing gloves, scrub with a scouring pad, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. (See also: all-purpose surface cleaner, drain cleaner, silver cleaner.)
- Stain remover: Sprinkle lemon juice or vinegar onto grease/mould/stain, leave for 5 minutes then scrub with a brush (an old toothbrush is good for small spots on delicate surfaces), then rinse.
- Window cleaner: Use mixture of 10 ml white vinegar or lemon juice + 1 litre water, in a spray bottle, plus old newspaper. Spray glass surface and rub clean with newspaper.
Last Modified: Mon, 20 Jan 2020 14:28:27 SAST
