Blue Route Mall in Tokai, Cape Town, has secured Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification from the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). The certification validates the shopping center’s ability to divert at least 90% of its operational waste from landfills over the past 12 months, as outlined in the official assessment.

To qualify, the mall had to meet strict criteria under GBCSA’s framework, including measured data showing at least 90% of operational waste diverted from landfill over a 12-month period. The effort covered multiple waste streams, cardboard, paper, plastics, glass, and organic waste, demonstrating a wide-ranging approach to reduction and recovery.

The project’s foundation was the mall’s Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP), which prioritized source reduction, material recovery, and long-term sustainability. Tenant participation played a key role, particularly in organic waste diversion, while also enhancing operational efficiency alongside environmental outcomes.

Georgina Smit, CEO of GBCSA, called the achievement a superb accomplishment. She noted that large retail properties like Blue Route Mall prove sustainability can be integrated into daily functions through teamwork, delivering tangible environmental and financial returns. “The days of sustainability being a niche consideration are behind us, and every building in South Africa should be on a sustainability journey,” she said.

The mall’s initiatives extend beyond waste management. It operates a drop-off point for Ladles of Love’s Feed the Soil initiative, channeling food scraps into composting and urban agriculture programs. Additionally, the center runs sustainability workshops for local students, further embedding its role in community development.

Ursula Mpakanyane, Head of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at Redefine Properties, said, “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.” Redefine Properties, South Africa’s second-largest property group with assets valued at R101.2 billion, remains focused on expanding renewable energy projects, improving energy efficiency, and advancing sustainable building practices.