News - 04/11/06

County wins two Golds and a Bronze at Green Apple Awards

West Sussex County Council has won two Gold Awards and Bronze at the annual Green Apple Awards in London. The awards are made annually by the Green Organisation, an independent non-political environment group which rewards best environmental practices around the world.

Louise Goldsmith, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, collected the award at the ceremony said.” The county’s Ten Percent Challenge, which has successfully encouraged people in the county to save energy, won a bronze award. It was set up at the beginning of the year with a website and publicity campaign. Residents signed in and pledged to cut their carbon emissions, save water and reduce waste. It also put across the message that every contribution, however small, makes a difference to the environment. More than 800 pledges have been received so far. “We aim to get people to make even more innovative pledges – perhaps like cutting their air travel or harvesting rainwater – to take the 10% Challenge into new areas,” said Louise.

The County Council’s Wastes Management Services received a Gold Award for public consultation on the Waste Strategy and the property department won a Gold award for the wind turbine at St Mary's School in Climping.

Frank Wilkinson, County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, commented: “I sometimes hear from residents that we should recycle more, and that we aren’t doing enough. In fact we’re one of the leading recyclers in England. These three awards show the commitment we have at West Sussex to the environment. These awards are not the first recognition we have received over the years, and I am sure they will not be the last. My congratulations to everyone concerned.” The Green Apple awards were presented on Friday (November 3) at a ceremony held in the Tower of London.