Redefine Properties’ Blue Route Mall in Tokai, Cape Town has been awarded Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). The certification recognises the shopping centre’s progress in improving waste management practices and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The milestone reflects the importance of resource efficiency in the day-to-day operation of large retail properties, where meaningful progress depends on consistent processes, reliable measurement and collaboration across the full waste management chain.
What Net Zero Waste Level 2 means
Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification focuses on the operational waste generated through the day-to-day use of a property. Under GBCSA’s current criteria, certification requires measured data showing that at least 90% of operational waste has been diverted from landfill over a 12-month period.
At Blue Route Mall, achieving this required a coordinated approach to waste management, involving management, tenants, service providers and waste partners. The mall’s diverse tenant mix generates a range of waste streams, including cardboard, paper, plastic, glass and food waste. To address these challenges, Blue Route Mall implemented a structured Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) focused on reducing waste to landfill, improving resource recovery and supporting long term sustainability objectives. Through targeted waste management initiatives, tenant engagement and a strong focus on organic waste diversion, the mall continues to improve its environmental performance and operational efficiency.
“Achieving Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification at a regional shopping centre the scale of Blue Route Mall is a significant achievement and demonstrates what is possible when all role players work towards a common goal. It also shows that sustainability can be embedded into the operation of assets at scale while delivering long-term environmental and operational benefits,” says Georgina Smit, CEO of GBCSA. “The days of sustainability being a niche consideration are behind us, and every building in South Africa should be on a sustainability journey. We congratulate Redefine Properties and all the teams involved in this milestone.”
Beyond the certification
Blue Route Mall’s focus on sustainability extends beyond its day-to-day waste management practices. The centre hosts a collection point for Ladles of Love’s Feed the Soil programme, which redirects food waste for composting and later use in community and urban farming. It has also supported sustainability education initiatives that encourage environmental awareness among local learners.
These efforts form part of Redefine’s broader focus on improving environmental performance across its portfolio through continued investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and more sustainable building operations.
“Blue Route Mall’s certification is an important milestone for us and one we are genuinely pleased to see recognised. It reflects our broader commitment to improving the environmental performance of our properties through practical, measurable action across areas such as waste, energy and resource efficiency,” says Ursula Mpakanyane, Head of ESG at Redefine Properties.
The achievement adds to Redefine’s ongoing efforts to improve resource efficiency and environmental performance across its properties.
