Green businesses scoop Scottish awards
Transport operator First Scotland East and leaflet marketing firm EAE have been named as two of Scotland's most sustainable organisations, after being awarded top prizes at the 2011 Scottish Green Awards.
Now in their third year, the annual awards recognise organisations and individuals that have worked to improve the environment in Scotland.
First Scotland East triumphed in the large company category for its approach to cutting carbon emissions from its fleet, which includes an innovative driver-monitoring system that has helped improve the efficiency of its staff’s driving, cutting fuel consumption by 4.5%.
“It’s a real honour to win this award and the credit goes to all our drivers, engineers and cleaners who have really bought into the process and made the change in our company,” said Paul Thomas, managing director of First Scotland East, when collecting the award.
Meanwhile, EAE was recognised as the best green small business for its efforts to become carbon neutral by 2015, which has seen it cut emissions by 60% through initiatives such as introducing Scotland’s first electric leaflet-delivery van.
“We’ve started down this path to carbon neutrality and I don’t know if we’ll make it, but if we keep trying continuously to improve maybe we can get there,” said Glenn Bennett, managing director of EAE.
Other winners include the North Howe Transition Toun scheme, which was named as the best green community initiative, and Changeworks, a charity that helps individuals improve the energy efficiency of their homes, which was awarded the prize in the public service category.
“It is really encouraging to see such commitment and innovation in tackling major environmental challenges in a positive way,” said Martin Baxter, IEMA director of policy and a judge for this year’s awards.