Young people award green-minded businesses
09th July 2013
Two Bournemouth schools have become the first in the UK to give Earth Charter awards to local businesses.
Avonbourne and Harewood colleges held the first ever Earth Charter Awards where students judge and award businesses that go above and beyond in instilling green and people values.
Six awards were given in total to Bournemouth University, Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (SBW), Ecotainment, Dorset Bio Solutions, LUSH and AFC Bournemouth.
The Dorset businesses picked up their awards, which were sponsored by Castlepoint Shopping Park, at a special ceremony hosted by the Greenhouse Hotel, Bournemouth.
Executive headteacher at both schools, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “The wonderful thing about these awards is that they were judged by students alone.
“Our young people care very much about the planet they live in. They really wanted to say thank you to local businesses that are playing an important role in looking after their environment and employees.
“These awards are a ringing endorsement from the future generation.”
Bournemouth University scooped the award for engagement in sustainability. The students judged the University on being the best organisation that tackles sustainable issues and makes a substantial difference to its community.
The award for respecting and valuing employees went to SBW for going beyond the standard benefits for its workforce.
SBW was recognised for creating a place of work where the individual is respected and health and happiness is valued.
Dorset based environmental awareness entertainers, Ecotainment, won the best community footprint award.
This recognises the company’s efforts to take into full account its responsibility to every community it comes into contact with.
The business judged to have the most environmentally friendly ethos was Dorset Bio Solutions.
This award recognises Dorset Bio Solutions’ commitment to respect both human and environmental rights across its supply chain.
Poole-based cosmetics firm LUSH won the considerate management of waste and recycling award.
LUSH - which has shops across the UK – won the award for taking the lead in the way it recycles its products.
And AFC Bournemouth’s former captain and now ambassador, Steve Fletcher, picked up the award for enabling equal opportunities on behalf of the football club.
The award recognised how the Championship club always ensures fair allocation of resources and opportunities in the workplace and beyond.
Jack Gale, utilities co-ordinator of the LUSH wellbeing team, said: “At LUSH we strive to minimise landfill and close-loop as many recycling
streams as possible.
“We are grateful that Avonbourne Trust has recognised these efforts and thank them for the 'Award for considerate management of waste and recycling' and the excellent ceremony.”
And Hazel Taylor, Community Liaison Manager for SBW, added: "We are delighted that our ethos and principles, which we have aligned with those of the Earth Charter, have been recognised by the pupils who judged the competition.
“Without the commitment of our staff we could not provide our customers with the high quality of service that we strive for and it is therefore key that we respect and value their contribution."