Saldanha Bay Municipality Leads the Way in 2023 Waste Management Awards
Saldanha Bay Municipality has emerged as the top performer in the 2023 Municipal Waste Management Recognition Programme (MWMRP), a prestigious initiative led by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP). This accolade underscores the municipality’s steadfast commitment to excellence in waste management and its dedication to enhancing service delivery within the community.
Having secured the third position in 2022 with a score of 83%, Saldanha Bay Municipality made significant strides this year, boosting its score to an impressive 90% to claim the top spot. This achievement reflects a well-coordinated and strategic approach to waste management and was strongly contested by other top municipalities in the Western Cape, with Overstrand in second place (89%) and Drakenstein in 3rd place (85%).
The MWMRP evaluation focuses on several critical aspects that measure the effectiveness of waste management services. Saldanha Bay Municipality excelled in areas such as ensuring dedicated leadership in waste management operations, demonstrating robust planning and execution of waste management strategies, providing sustainable and adequate waste management services, maintaining accurate and comprehensive waste management data, adhering to and enforcing waste management regulations effectively, and promoting waste reduction and raising public awareness.
The municipality’s success can be attributed to its comprehensive and proactive strategies, which include rigorous waste management planning, effective regulatory compliance, and innovative waste minimisation initiatives. These efforts have not only improved service delivery but also fostered a culture of sustainability within the community.
David Wright, Senior Manager for Bulk Water and Solid Waste at Saldanha Bay Municipality, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement. “We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment. It is only through immense teamwork and the unwavering dedication of our entire team that we have been able to achieve this. This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. I would also like to thank our community for their environmental awareness and participation in our programmes. However, there is always room for improvement, and we need the community’s continued support to combat illegal dumping and make effective use of our services so that together, we can keep the Saldanha Bay area clean.”
Certificates of recognition were awarded to the top three municipalities at the Waste Management Officers Forum on 15 August 2024, marking a significant milestone for Saldanha Bay. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire waste management team, whose efforts have positioned the municipality as a leader in sustainable waste practices.
