nigel sibanda

Going green: A new award aimed at recognising those who are making a contribution towards creating greener workplaces in SA was launched this week. The judging panel will include representatives of Green Office Week.|It could be the bookkeeper, the stationery manager or anyone with an eco-goal.

Workplace Staff

Love lingers in the air this week and red hearts adorn our desks, but there’s an even more coveted symbol of affection to watch out for from today: the Green Heart.

The organisers of SA’s Green Office Week (www.greenoffice week.co.za) initiative have launched a new award to recognise and reward those workplace eco-champions who have given their hearts to the planet: the Green Heart Award.

The award aims to bring “going green” into the mainstream by creating role models in SA workplaces and recognising those who have made a significant contribution to going green by finding creative and interesting ways to improve the environmental footprint of their department, office, dorm or building.

Green Heart spokeswoman Ana-Maria Valente says: “We are witnessing a dramatic reorientation of the global economy around the principles of sustainability.

“This is no longer the altruism of old, but a solution to the climate crisis, the global financial predicament and a way of driving shared prosperity for us all.

“In line with this global movement, we are handing over the selection of these eco-champions to the individual to nominate.

“As with any dramatic shift in our history, there is a need for drivers and visionaries to take us forward and we hope to identify these people among us.”

The Green Heart Award believes you make a difference and that there are individuals who have true green hearts and are the unsung heroes of our day.

The award offers an attractive cash prize for both the winner and his or her nominator, among a host of other sponsored prizes.

So who in your organisation deserves to be recognised?

Is it the bookkeeper or the procurement manager; is it the guy on the third floor who convinced the company to change to energy-efficient light bulbs or the stationery manager?

An award committee will select five finalists from the nominees and a judging panel, including representatives of Green Office Week, a recognised green expert, a sustainability director, an academic and a media partner, will make the final decision.

To make your nomination, visit www.greenofficeweek.co.za/ default.html and fill in a nomination form.

We want to know who your eco-hero/ heroine is and how he or she inspired and motivated green behaviours in your workplace.

Entries must be in by April 20.

l For all the latest green news, follow @GOWSA on Twitter or visit its Facebook page.