The top accolade of Gold Award went to Eden Community Recycling Ltd of Gillwilly Estate, Penrith. Colin Nineham, senior director of Eden Recycling, said: “We began plastic recycling in the area and now we have 22 different collection points, and we no longer send the plastic material to China , it is all recycled and sold in the UK .”
“We don't just ask for bottles, we do take all plastics and turn this into a man’s wages. We also take beverage cartons, and polystyrene and will be looking at other materials.”
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The Silver Award went to Carlisle opticians D&D McWillians where recycling operations include sending used spectacle frames to Third World countries.
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The Bronze Award went to North Lakes Hotel at Skirsgill, Penrith. Hotel manager Chris Hill said: “I was very sceptical at first, but the enthusiasm of our staff has been infectious and we now have our own focus group which means the impetus has come from the staff.
“Lisa, one of our junior assistant managers, took the lead in this and has shown real passion to get us to where we are today. This year it’s the Bronze, and we will be
going all out for the Silver Award next year."
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Guest speaker Chris Bulloch, who was for 18 years head teacher at Warcop School , told the audience of his current environment work with Mission Antarctica project which has taken him twice to Antarctic to help clear waste left over the years.
Kim Nicholson, northern area manager for Environment Agency, presented the three major awards. “People enjoy working for an organisation which takes environmental issues seriously. It’s good for profit and for productivity.”
“It is important that there is an organisation like CBEN to help businesses go forward with good environmental practice, and I’ve learnt much more about them tonight." |
