GEORGE NEWS - The George municipality has for the second time running been identified as the runner-up in the annual Cleanest Town Competition in the Western Cape.

George came second out of 24 competing municipalities, whereas the Eden district municipality was recognised as the top district municipality for its excellent assistance to local municipalities.
The Overstrand municipality scooped the winning spot in both 2009 and 2010, followed closely by George municipality, whereas Stellenbosch municipality ended third. Witzenberg municipality was again recognised as the most improved municipality in the province.

At the awards ceremony in Cape Town the provincial minister of local government, environmental affairs and development planning, Anton Bredell said this year the competition celebrated the theme ‘Waste management by numbers’.
"In essence, the need to keep accurate records of waste data should be operational practice.
This includes keeping record of the number of households receiving waste collection services or volumes of waste being diverted from landfills for recycling. Poor record keeping reflects a poor management system."

The 2010 prize money is still unknown, but in 2009 Overstrand municipality collected R120 000 as the overall winner, George municipality received R60 000 and Swartland municipality earned R40 000 as the second runner-up. As the most improved municipality, Witzenberg municipality walked away with R30 000.

The municipalities are assessed on the physical condition and general cleanliness of the town which accounts for 40% whereas the support systems and municipal waste initiatives contribute 60% to the final tally.
The department places special emphasis on improving recycling, putting a stop to the burning of waste at landfills, creating composting facilities for green waste, investigating markets for the large pile of used tyres at landfills, and transforming open spaces to become more functional for communities.

George councillor and environmental committee member Aletti van Zyl says the city came a good second - hot on the heals of the winner. "The achievement is the result of an absolute team effort and everyone - right from the council through to the cleaners on the ground - worked together to ensure success."

George environmental director, André Smith said public cooperation was priority number one. "Thank you to everyone in George for their help to keep us in the top three. Without public support, we would be faced with an impossible task.
"We are also fortunate in George to have council’s full support as the councillors realise that a cleaner environment ensures a better life for all."

Smith appealed to the public to make use of the various service providers who have started recycling and responsible waste disposal initiatives. "If something can be recycled, please do so.
Harmful waste like batteries and mercury lights must also be disposed of in the correct way. We can ensure that George takes the top spot next year if we all just follow the basic rules."

To get the names of recycling and waste disposal facilities and companies, contact the George environmental department on 044 802 2900.

ARTICLE: ILSE SCHOONRAAD


Proud of a clean George. From the left are Gottlieb Arendse, acting chief director of environmental quality, the provincial minister of environmental affairs Anton Bredell, George councillor Aletti van Zyl, provincial environmental department head Rudi Ellis and George environmental director André Smith.