TWO empowerment firms and two major organisations were recognised at the weekend for their outstanding efforts in running “green” operations.

Volkswagen SA won the award for companies which have International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certification, while empowerment company Afri- Coast Engineers lifted the accolade for smaller companies.

Runner-up in the ISO-rated companies category was Eveready, of Struandale, while another empowerment organisation, Auspex Hotels and Leisure Management – which has just opened the Radisson Blu Hotel in Port Elizabeth – was the runner-up among the smaller companies.

The awards were made at the PE Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industries (Percci) banquet.

VWSA was described as an organisation that “is showing commitment to environmental sustainability to the nth degree”.

Successes at the Uitenhage company were described as “nothing short of excellent” and “innovative” by ISO company level awards sponsor SJM Flex SA executive Malan van der Berg.

Highlights included the vehicle manufacturer’s environmentally friendly corrosion protection technology savings of six kilolitres a year in oil usage and savings in chemicals of 24kl. VWSA had also reduced its carbon emissions footprint by 15000 tons so far this year.

Of Eveready – winner of the award for the previous two years – Van der Berg said that, despite an increase in production, the company had shown a 12% reduction in energy usage, a 7% drop in water used, and a 14% fall in emissions.

Eveready also made use of 10000 kilowatt-hours (kW.h) of electricity provided by its own wind-turbine systems, which were being exported as well as being successful on the domestic market.

Introducing the new awards for smaller companies, Van der Berg said these had been introduced for the first time this year through an initiative by Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan University’s geo-sciences division.

Winner Africa-Coast Engineers, based in Central, Port Elizabeth – which received its award from NMMU Dean of Sciences Prof Andrew Leitch – was complimented for several projects, including developing the world’s first solar-powered sewage treatment plan.

The Auspex group, headed by Ben Nyaumwe, was commended for its regular beach clean-ups and for the strategic design of the new beachfront hotel which “optimises the heat from the sun” and ensures energy wastage is minimised.