A selection ‘green’ UK companies have been shortlisted for this year’s Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards. Having been through the rigorous judging process and visited by an expert assessor, the 13 finalists demonstrate that UK companies can demonstrate environmental initiative, according to BCE Awards president Sir Anthony Cleaver.
“We’ve been very impressed with the commitment to the environment made by UK business in the face of extremely challenging economic conditions and had a record number of entries for this year’s awards,” said Sir Anthony. “Finalists include fantastic projects from big names like Pilkington and Skanska, as well as from smaller companies such as the Thoughtful Bread Company and EAE Ltd.
“The Olympic Delivery Authority is also on the shortlist. It is responsible for building new venues for the 2012 Olympic Games and has worked with contractors to help minimise environmental impacts.
“We commend all the organisations that have made it on to the shortlist for these prestigious awards and look forward to congratulating the winners in June,” said Sir Anthony.
The 2011 awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 15 June at the Lincoln Centre, London. The keynote speaker is Sir Stuart Rose who was, until earlier this year, the Chairman of Marks & Spencer.
The finalists for the 2011 BCE Awards include:
- British Gypsum – Robertsbridge Works
- Commercial Group
- EAE Ltd – Leaflet Marketing Specialists
- May Gurney Ltd; Noble Foods
- Olympic Delivery Authority
- Paper Round
- Pilkington United Kingdom
- Ricoh UK Products
- Skanska
- Sweeptech Environmental Services
- The Thoughtful Bread Company and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
Current holder of the BCE Sir Peter Parker award is Kingfisher plc and the 2010 Premier Award winners were Diageo Shieldhall, Glebe Cottage, Quantum4 and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is the lead sponsor of the 2011 BCE Awards. Main sponsors are AEA, BP, Brunswick Group, E.ON and Sustainable Business.
The Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards scheme was established in 1975. Since then, it has been showcasing UK environmental excellence and recognising businesses whose activities enhance or protect the environment while meeting commercial demands. The BCE Award scheme is the UK’s (and probably the world’s) oldest environmental awards. BCE is unique in that it is run by business rather than any regulator, authority or Government agency – it rewards the efforts of business to address environmental issues without regulatory intervention.