Renfrewshire Business Champion unveiled at 2015 VIBES Awards

Renfrewshire Business Taylor Wimpey West Scotland named as Business Champion at the 2015 VIBES Awards!

Article Source: VIBES Awards
Last Updated: 10 December 2015 19:08

Taylor Wimpey West Scotland in Paisley has been declared a champion of business sustainability at the 16th annual Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards.

The house builder, along with C&D Associates LLP, was named as joint winner of the Co-operation Award (sponsored by Brand-Rex) at the ceremony held recently in Edinburgh’s Sheraton Hotel. This year, nine businesses took a coveted green title in front of more than 300 people from a wide range of Scottish companies.

The VIBES Awards is Scotland’s leading environmental awards scheme which recognises and rewards businesses that contribute to the country’s sustainable development by taking significant steps to improve or reduce their impact on the environment.

Following a record number of entries, 27 Scottish businesses were shortlisted for the 2015 awards. A rigorous judging process was undertaken, including a programme of site visits, to assess the environmental practices of each of the finalists.

The awards aim to encourage efficient use of resources, enhance business competitiveness, improve environmental performance and support wider sustainable development goals. Awards were presented for each of the eight categories: Management (Large and SME), Environmental Product or Service, Transport, Co-operation (joint award), Hydro-Nation and Circular Economy and Micro Business (a full breakdown of winners is detailed in the notes to editors).

Gillian Bruce, Chair of the VIBES Awards, commented: “We would like to congratulate all our 2015 winners and finalists. The standard of entries this year was very high with many companies demonstrating how putting sustainability at the heart of their business operations can also benefit the bottom line.

“The winners impressed the VIBES judges throughout the process with their commitment to environmental excellence. We have had a great day celebrating their achievements and hope many more companies will be inspired to follow their example by recognising the benefits of sustainability in business.”

Stephen Andrew, technical director for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, said: “We’re really delighted that our Torrance Park Water Project has secured such a high-profile award. It recognises the strength of the entire team that’s been working together for some time now, and it truly reflects the benefit of collaborative working where each organisation is using its expertise to create an innovative way to encourage greener gardens that will contribute to the wider green infrastructure.”

Each of the 2015 VIBES winners is now eligible to enter the 2016 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE). In 2014 six out of the 12 entries representing the UK were chosen from previous VIBES Awards winners. Edinburgh-based Vegware and Stonehaven’s Bay Fish and Chips were selected as the only UK finalists in 2014, putting Scotland firmly on the map in terms of sustainable business practices in Europe.

The VIBES Awards is a strategic partnership between Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and the 20:20 Climate Group. The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and Bright Green Business.

Sponsoring the awards this year are Scottish Government, ScottishPower, Zero Waste Scotland, Brand-Rex, EMEC, Pernod Ricard Chivas Regal, Lothian Buses, Centre for Sustainable Practice & Living and The University of Stirling Management School.

The Awards are accredited by the RSA Environment Awards Accreditation Scheme (www.rsaaccreditation.org).

For more information on the VIBES Awards visit www.vibes.org.uk. Regular updates on the VIBES Awards 2015 are posted on Twitter (@VIBES_Awards) #VIBES2015, Facebook (Facebook.com/VibesAwards) and on the VIBES Blog www.vibes.org.uk/news/