29 January 2013
Peter Lederer, chairman of The Gleneagles Hotel, was honoured for his commitment to improving environmental performance, particularly within the tourist sector, at a prestigious award ceremony at The Glasgow Marriott Hotel.
The Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) awards programme has been recognising the commitment, actions and achievements of Scottish companies in reducing their impact on the environment for 13 years.
Lederer was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony for taking a leading role in finding sustainable and low carbon solutions for waste at The Gleneagles Hotel.
Over the past few years, the hotel has worked towards building a sustainable future by setting targets to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill; installing a biomass boiler for low carbon energy; and instituting innovative recycling measures. The hotel currently recycles glass, cardboard, paper, cans and recyclable plastics and has a dedicated area in its grounds to accommodate other products such as unused paints, excess furnishings and excess room amenities and pallets.
Biodegradable waste from the hotel is also sent to a local farmer who decomposes the matter into compost. The compost is then purchased by the hotel at a reasonable rate and re-used throughout the hotel’s estate, while used wine corks are collected and sent to the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh to be used in drainage.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Alan Thomson, head of corporate relations at Scottish Water. Speaking on his award win, Lederer, who is also one of the main board members of Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group, said: “I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of all the staff at Gleneagles, who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to ensure that the hotel is an industry-leader in sustainability. It’s fantastic to receive recognition for our efforts so far, and we will continue to strive to do all we can as a business to promote responsible tourism and protect the environment for future generations.”
Gillian Bruce, VIBES Chair, said: “Our Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals who have dedicated their careers to the pursuit of environmental excellence within their business. Peter’s work both at Gleneagles and through the 2020 Climate Group has helped businesses in Scotland recognise the importance of eliminating waste that is unnecessarily sent to landfill and the significant impact this waste has on Scotland’s environment. We are delighted to present him with the award to mark his work in this area.”
Nine companies also beat off stiff competition from some of Scotland’s leading ‘green’ businesses to also take home titles at this year’s VIBES Awards.
The winners were:
• Management Award: large company category (more than 250 employees): Mainetti UK Limited
• Management Award: SME (up to 250 employees): Castle Group Scotland Ltd
• Energy: Branston Ltd
• Waste and Resources: Bpi.Recycled products
• Transport: Lothian Buses plc
• Environmental and Clean Technology: Enviroco Limited
• Changing Behaviour: Ewgeco
• Best Micro Business: Winton House
• Collaboration Award: Kingdom Housing Association Ltd
In addition, Élan Hair Design in Inverurie was honoured with a special commendation in the VIBES 2012 Energy Award category.
The keynote speaker at the event was David Wilson, director of Energy and Climate Change at the Scottish Government.
Gillian Bruce added: “I would like to congratulate all our award winners and shortlisted companies this year. Their hard work and dedication has made a significant contribution to Scotland achieving its 2020 carbon reduction targets.”
“Our judges were very impressed with their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of their businesses and I would encourage other businesses across the country to follow their lead.”
VIBES is a strategic partnership between: Carbon Trust, CBI Scotland, Co-operative Development Scotland, Energy Saving Trust Scotland, Green Business Partnership, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Zero Waste Scotland.
It is the only Scottish awards scheme which feeds into the European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE). By winning a VIBES Award, companies are eligible to enter the EBAE, which attract entries from the cream of Europe’s most environmentally positive businesses.
Sponsors of this year’s VIBES Awards include: Management Award (SME) sponsor Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), Environmental & Clean Technology Award sponsor Scottish Power, Changing Behaviour Award sponsor Chivas Brothers, Transport Award sponsor Energy Saving Trust Scotland and Energy Award sponsor the Scottish Government.