Eco awards’ nominations gathering pace

​One of the city's best known eco awards ceremonies is gathering pace with some excellent entries being made.

With a number of quality entries already, we are actively looking for more organisations and businesses to show their environmental credentials by entering Norwich City Council's fourth annual eco awards.

It only takes a relatively short time to fill in an online application - or a paper one if your prefer - and the benefits of participating are well worth the effort. All entrants will be invited to a ceremony at City Hall held by the Lord Mayor of Norwich and will receive a certificate.

Winners will receive a glass trophy and the right to use the well-known eco awards branding featuring their specific details on marketing materials and letters for the forthcoming year.

Bert Bremner, cabinet member with responsibility for environmental strategy, said: "I've been very impressed by the quality of the applications so far.

“Clearly we have some fantastic companies and organisations in our city doing some great work in terms of recycling and biodiversity.

"I would encourage more applications - it doesn't matter how large or small your achievement, it all makes an invaluable contribution to improving the environment of our fine city."

Among the applications already received is an entry from Norwich-based NHS Trust Norfolk Community Health and Care, which employs 160 staff and provides community-based healthcare to patients. They have introduced a new recycling scheme in their office at Elliot House and have more than tripled their recycling rate to an outstanding 57 per cent. They estimate they have reduced the general waste they produce by 50 per cent and have collected 1.5 tonnes of recycling since July last year.

An entry by Grapes Hill Community Garden has also proven impressive. The organisation has developed a piece of derelict land into a thriving garden providing outside space for local people, many of whom are housed in flats. Dozens of people have joined and support the organisation and a whole range of flowers, fruits and vegetables have been planted providing a place where people can come together and learn or share gardening skills and relax.

If your organisation is interested in the entering the eco awards, there are four different categories, which are:

• eco school
• eco community group
• eco small business (less than 50 staff)
• eco large business (more than 50 staff)