"Apple 2008" is an annual award handed by Ministry of Environment to fete local governments which actively supports environmental policy implementing environmental infrastructure and development or nature protection projects and enhancing public awareness and understanding of the need of sustainable development.
The newly nomination ''Environmentally friendly company'' ZAAO received the award for environmentally friendly management of the company.
''We are pleased that municipalities from North Vidzeme region in their applications and the Ministry of Environment have evaluated activities and services of ZAAO so highly in compliance with term ''environmentally friendly'', says Aivars Sirmais, ZAAO Board member. It is confirmed by fact that ZAAO has received ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates issued for three years period and will proof not only the quality of services provided, but also environmental requirements set by company.

On April 2005, ZAAO in cooperation with partners from Germany - GEG and AWG - started a project "The heaviest pumpkin". Project's goals were to grow a pumpkin in compost and to educate children about waste separation and waste disposal.

21 kindergartens from North Vidzeme region took part in this project - 6 from Cesis district, 4 from Limbazi district, 5 from Valka district and 6 from Valmiera district.
In October 6 participants gathered in Valmiera. They paraded their pumpkins and presented their growing process. Of course, pumpkins were weighted also.
The heaviest pumpkins were grown in Limbazi district. The biggest pumpkin named "Lazy person" was from kindergarten Ladezers - 31.2 kg.
After all participants were awarded, they tasted food made of pumpkins and other delicacies.

Results
Photo gallery

ZAAO is delighted about results of this project and looks forward to carrying out other cooperation projects.