Green Awards celebrate 10 year anniversary as finalists are announced

It has been 10 years since the Green Awards launched, and over the course of a decade they have presented hundreds of awards to the very best companies striving towards a more eco-friendly economy

Fri, Feb 16, 2018, 16:00 Updated: Fri, Feb 16, 2018, 16:45

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With 23 categories spanning the Irish green community, companies from all over the country have submitted entries with the hope of being shortlisted.

Celebrating a milestone birthday, the Green Awards will welcome hundreds of organisations to the annual ceremony taking place on the 20th of February, 2018. Each year the awards recognise the key innovators and leaders in best green practice in Ireland.

With 23 categories spanning the Irish green community, companies from all over the country submitted entries with the hope of being shortlisted. Sustainability in Irish business is firmly in focus as the global drive towards a more sustainable business environment is high up on everyone’s agenda. The investment and commitment from companies is constantly growing as more and more organisations of all shapes and sizes transition to better green operations.

Some of the largest businesses in the Irish economy have entered, speaking after the shortlist announcement, Geoff Byrne, chief operating officer, Tesco Ireland said, “At Tesco we’re delighted to be shortlisted in two categories. It’s recognition of the fantastic work we have carried out in the past year particularly through our partnership with the ESB. As one of Ireland’s leading retailers with 149 stores, we have worked hard to ensure we are making significant successes in the areas of energy efficiency and waste reduction in recent years and will continue to build upon these successes in the future.”

The Burren Smokehouse Team were shortlisted for four Green Awards, they have made major reductions in energy savings of 29 per cent and waste reduction both in food waste and waste to landfill by 19 per cent with their investment in energy efficient equipment paying off. “We are thrilled to receive these nominations, it gives a recognition to our full commitment to sustainability and sustainable practices”, said Birgitta Hedin-Curtin, owner/manager, Burren Smokehouse Ltd.

The programme plays an important role in the green community providing companies with a platform to showcase their work and collaborate with other industry professionals who are striving towards a common goal. “We are committed to helping homes and businesses across Ireland to be more energy efficient. We’re proud sponsors of this event - a wonderful showcase for those businesses who are stepping up as leaders in sustainability,” said Amy O’Shaughnessy, sponsorship manager at Energia.

“We are delighted to make the shortlist for the Green Awards. At AbbVie, we work with the future in mind and continuously collaborate with stakeholders and suppliers to reduce our impact on the environment. These nominations reflect the company’s commitment to sustainable business practices and our desire to be a good corporate citizen,” said Darragh Pattwell, site director, AbbVie.

Speaking to Berni Neill, industrial / commercial segment manager at Calor, she said, “Calor are proud to once again sponsor the Green Awards for 2018, which marks an important milestone for us with the launch of BioLPG, our new, off-grid renewable gas solution in Ireland.”

For more information about the awards or if you’d like to find out how to book a ticket, visit the Green Awards website.