The ministry of Trade and Industry and that of Natural Resources have awarded seven industries that have embraced the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production technologies as a way of preserving the environment.

The awards initiative is promoted in conjuction with the Rwanda Environmental Authority (Rema), Private Sector Federation (PSF), Rwanda Cleaner Production Centre, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), United Nations environment programme (Unepi) and UN-Habitat.

The technologies that were rewarded include good housekeeping practices, change in technology, process control, input substitution, equipment modification and others, which increase’ productivity by reducing cost of production, thus increasing environmental benefits.

The criteria considered the amount of energy, water, raw materials saved per unit product and service as well as renewable energy adopted.

They also included reducing pollution at source and assessing level of management commitment and leadership in the initiative leading to benefits, standards and social responsibility.

Sulfo Rwanda Industries emerged the best performer, followed by Horizon Sopyrwa, a pyrethrum processing plant based in Northern Province.

Tea processor, Sorwathe, emerged the best in water use management and was followed by Utexrwa, the country’s biggest textile.

Under the energy saving category, Sulfo Industries emerged the best, followed by Horizon Sopyrwa.

The waste water management award was scooped by Inyange Industries, with Sulfo Industries as the runner-up, while the material and solid waste management award was won by Kitabi Tea Factory, followed by Mata Tea factory.

Green economy, green industry

Trade and Industry minister Francois Kanimba said there is need of such clean production initiatives to achieve sustainable development and that is also prescribed for under the country’s development blueprint, the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy.

"This initiative of protecting environment, saving energy and keeping production clean is fundamental for a country to promote green economy and green industry. It has tremendous impact on the competitiveness of business enterprises by reducing production costs,” he said.

Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the director-general of Rema, said despite the economic impact that the initiative will bring, it will also preserve human health by shielding it from gas emissions, waste and smoke among others.