New Sustainability and Recycling Awards launched
Cllr James McKay and chef Glynn Purnell, launching the Sustainability and Recycling Awards 2014.
Businesses, community groups and schools are being urged to submit entries to Birmingham's new Sustainability and Recycling Awards, which were launched today (26 March).
Birmingham City Council's new awards scheme replaces the Recycling Awards and Green Restaurant Awards to celebrate innovative green initiatives across the city.
Cllr James McKay, Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart City, launched the awards at Ginger’s in Newhall Street.
He was joined by Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell, whose restaurant Purnell's won the Staff and Community category at the Green Restaurant Awards in 2012.
In total 16 awards will be made across four categories:
- Best Waste and Recycling Scheme
- Best Energy Reduction Scheme
- Best Food and Growing Scheme
- Best Staff and Community Scheme
An overall winner, whose entry completely embraces the ethos of these awards, will be announced at a ceremony at the Council House, in Victoria Square, on 18 July 2014.
Cllr McKay said: “I would like to urge all local people, businesses and schools who actively recycle, reuse and reduce waste to enter these new Sustainability and Recycling Awards.
“These awards give us the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the fantastic work that's being carried out in our city, and which usually goes unnoticed.”
Glynn said: “It was fantastic to receive recognition for our efforts towards supporting sustainability and a greener community. Businesses need to realise that success shouldn't just be driven by profits, but by overall business practice.
“It was a massive boost for the staff to be nominated, especially when we were told we had won an award for our own local community involvement. I encourage everyone in business to take part in the 2014 awards to help promote and adopt a greener, more sustainable way of conducting business.”
The awards, sponsored by Veolia Environmental Services, are open to businesses, educational establishments, community groups and individuals to highlight the often unsung efforts to be greener, cleaner and smarter in using, recycling and preserving natural resources.
The closing date for entries is Friday, 6 June 2014.
For more information on how to enter the Sustainability and Recycling Awards, please visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/greenawards
ENDS
For more media information, contact Emma Brady on 0121 303 6969 or email [email protected]
