28 April 2014
For 15 years now, the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards has celebrated the success of businesses – all sizes and sectors – employing environmental best practice in their day-to-day activity to cut down on resource use, increase sustainability, improve their reputation, and reap the concurrent economic and social benefits. This May, the search for the winners of 2014 begins.
There will be 3 free-to-attend events taking place right across the country to launch the application process. The events will be hosted by previous winners of the awards and members of the VIBES team will be on hand to give advice and presentations about the application process.
The first event, which ties in with the opening of the application process, is on the 7th of May from 4-6pmin Airdrie at the premises of new VIBES sponsors and previous VIBES winners Albert Bartlett. Less than two weeks away!
A family run business specialising in potato production, Albert Bartlett has gone from strength to strength in the last few years. Most recently they worked with long term brand ambassadors Andrew Fairlie and Michel Roux Jr on their national advertising campaign to help champion their key values. Last year, the 2013 judges were impressed by the environmental management of Albert Bartlett’s site in Airdrie; the most modern and environmentally-friendly facility of its type in the world with high tech systems that ensure waste, water and energy use are kept down to a minimum.
The second VIBES event is in Edinburgh at Dryden Aqua, a business specialising in a water filtration product made from recycled green glass. The event will take place on the 20th of May from 4-6pm. Dr Dryden has recently been award the IoD’s Director Award for Sustainability Leadership. The 2013 judges were particularly impressed by the potential Dryden Aqua has to alleviate global issues with drinking water whilst considering recycling and waste reuse and felt it warranted both the Hydro Nation and Circular Economy awards.
Biomatrix Water will be hosting our third event up in Forres on the 22nd of May between 4-6pm. This will include a tour of their facility ‘The Living Machine’. Biomatrix Water received the Best Micro Business Award in 2013. The VIBES judges were impressed with the innovation and business potential provided by Biomatrix, which demonstrated that some of the best ideas can come from small businesses. All of their products are environmentally focused, harnessing the power of nature to revitalise waterways. They currently have projects locally in Scotland and internationally in Seattle, Chicago and the Philippines.
Gillian Bruce, VIBES chair from SEPA explains: “These free launch events provide an opportunity for potential VIBES candidates in the area to gain more information on the awards. Attendees will also hear about the benefits of winning a VIBES Award from past winners and receive impartial advice from VIBES partner organisations on how to submit a good entry.”
To attend any of these launch events, please register at vibes@sepa.org.uk