Metro scoops greenest award

The announcement was made by the National Department of Environmental Affairs during the Greenest Municipality Competition (GMC), held in Durban, recently.

“This is a clear indication that the systems and strategies the municipality has employed when it comes to environmental management and greening initiatives are beginning to yield fruits,” said Ekurhuleni’s member of the mayoral committee responsible for Environmental Development, Clr Vuyelwa Mabena.

According to Mabena, the latest accolade the metro has received is due to the dedicated efforts of various departments within the municipality, which include Waste Management Services, Health and Social Services, Water and Sanitation Department, Energy and Electricity Department, Communications and Brand Management Department and Environmental Resources Management.
The Greenest Municipality Competition (GMC) started its life as the Cleanest Town Competition (CTC), with a primary focus on implementing the National Waste Management Strategy.

The Cleanest Town Competition’s pillars were the principles of reducing, recycling and reusing waste materials.
Although these principles are still relevant, other elements related to sustainable development and various greening interventions have been added. The GMC also focuses on efforts to get municipalities to be central to the green economy.
The Department of Environmental Affairs awards prizes according to two categories, namely: the Metropolitan Municipality and Local Municipality.

The prize money has to be utilised for projects that promote environmental-related projects and Green Economy initiatives.
EMM’s R3.5-million cash prize will be channeled to other green projects.
“We are very pleased to have successfully met the national Department of Environmental Affairs’s criteria for assessment, which includes good waste management plans, policies and strategies; institutional arrangements and political support within municipalities on environmental programmes; greening initiatives, including landscaping and planting of trees, and community involvement on environmental projects and programmes,” said Clr Mabena.
A total of 111 metropolitan and local municipalities competed for the awards.