Fife business awarded for its sustainability at VIBES Ceremony

20th November 2017

Diageo Leven has been recognised for its environmental efforts at the 18th annual VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.

The global drinks producer received a commendation in the Hydro Nation Award category (sponsored by Scottish Government) for its Fife based distillery. Diageo Leven was one of three companies commended at the awards.

A total of nine businesses picked up a coveted green award in front of an audience of more than 350 business figures at the ceremony held in Edinburgh’s Grand Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday 15 November.

Awards were presented for Management SME (under 250 employees) and Large (250+ employees), Environmental Product or Service, Transport, Hydro Nation, Circular Economy, Green Team, Innovation and Micro Business.

The awards follow a rigorous judging process, where each of the 37 finalists were visited by a team of judges to assess their environmental processes.

Now in its 18th year, the VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards is dedicated to recognising and rewarding businesses that are contributing to Scotland’s sustainable environment and unlike many other green awards, they are open to businesses of all sizes across all sectors.

Research has shown that sound environmental practice is also good for business, and the awards aim to encourage efficient use of resources, enhance business competitiveness, improve environmental performance and support wider sustainable development goals by showcasing examples of some of the small steps businesses are taking that can have a big difference to their bottom line as well as the environment.

Jay Christie, Environmental Co-ordinator at Diageo Leven said: “We are honoured to have been recognised at this year’s VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards. Being commended in the Hydro Nation category is a real testament to the hard work and commitment from everyone at Diageo Leven towards reducing our impact on the environment. We are proud to take our place amongst many excellent companies working hard to deliver a sustainable future and hope it inspires more organisations to make a difference.”

Gillian Bruce, Chair of the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards, added: “Sustainable practice is important for our environment but it can also make a big difference to a business’s operations as seen by this year’s finalists. The standard of entries has once again been high and it is encouraging to see the different ways and processes businesses are coming up with, both small and large, to reduce their environmental impact.

“The VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards are not just about giving recognition to these companies but also to help showcase the steps they are taking to reduce their impact in the hope that many more companies will be inspired to follow in their footsteps and to reap the rewards.”

Each of the 2017 VIBES winners is now eligible to enter the 2018 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) which is open to winners and runners up of RSA Accredited award schemes. VIBES is the only Scottish based RSA Accredited award scheme.

Sponsoring the awards this year are; Anglian Water Business, Centre for Sustainable Practice and Living, Climate-KIC through Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), Edinburgh Trams, Farne Salmon and Trout, NetRegs, Scottish Government, SEPA, ScottishPower and University of Stirling Management School.

VIBES - Scottish Environment Business 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 Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group. The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, Bright Green Business, Quality Scotland and Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

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 2017 VIBES Awards are posted on Twitter (@VIBES_Awards) #VIBES2017 and on the VIBES Blog www.vibes.org.uk/news/

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