Industries across KwaZulu Natal are invited to enter the prestigious Waste Management Awards 2012.
The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA)’s KwaZulu Natal branch in conjunction with the the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development (DAEARD) are delighted to launch the Waste Management Awards for 2012 and are challenging companies across KwaZulu Natal to see who is the greenest in the Province.
Pat Reddy, the Chairman of the IWMSA KZN Branch says, “we are encouraging organisations throughout KZN to enter the Waste Management Awards for 2012. With the increased pressure on companies to comply with the New Waste Act and to be environmentally more conscious, we see the Waste Management Awards as a great way to share good ideas, get recognition for hard work and celebrate environmental action.” Reddy continues, “Very often the focus is on what is wrong in the environment. The IWMSA and DAEARD will be focussing on what is right by rewarding environmentally-conscious organisations.”
Reddy adds, “the aim of the awards is to celebrate organisations’ green credentials by paying tribute to the great and green. In 2010 the competition was of a very high standard with many deserving entrants and we hope that even more of KwaZulu Natal’s leading businesses will enter this year to stand a chance of receiving recognition for their sustainable practices. We are challenging all the organizations to set an example for the rest of South Africa.”
Reddy continues, “These awards aren’t about creating winners and losers. Everyone that is working towards a greener life is instantly a winner. We feel that these awards are a fitting way to recognise those organisations that really are trying to make a difference to the environment in the course of their day-to-day business.”
The main objectives of the awards are to promote responsible practice in the use of resources and environmental management, to encourage the waste hierarchy (3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) as well as to encourage alternative methods to avoid overfill at landfill sites.
The bi-annual Waste Management Awards aim to recognize businesses of all sizes and sectors, employing good environmental practice in their daily activity, while also making significant financial savings.
Organisations are invited to attend the launch function of the Waste Management Awards that will be taking place at the Premier Hotel in Pinetown on 28 July 2011 from 08:00 – 11:00. Last year’s winners in the various categories will be at the launch and share their experiences of taking part in the awards. Companies will get a chance to interact with these companies and will also be guided on what the requirements are for entering the 2012 competition. There are different categories that can be entered including Chemical, Service and General Industries – more information will be made available at the launch.
The judging includes a site visit and audit by professional members of the IWMSA, as well as employees of the DAEARD and other government departments.
The IWMSA is a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation with voluntary membership established to promote the science and practice of waste management and is a non-profit organization. For more information contact the IWMSA’s KwaZulu Natal branch at: (031) 564 2795, e-mail: kzn@iwmsa.co.za or visit www.iwmsa.co.za,
