Competition hots up for ARC’s prized Sustainable Environment Awards

11 May 2007

Auckland-wide businesses, public sector oraganisations, community groups and individuals are fast lining up to have their environmental work recognised by Auckland Regional Council’s biennial ‘Sustainable Environment Awards.’
During an awards ceremony in August, Sustainable Environmental Awards (SEAs) will be awarded to organisations and individuals who’ve made the shift, however tentative, towards sustainability.

ARC Environmental Management Chair Dianne Glenn says the ARC launched the biennial awards in 2000 to reward those who were making a significant difference to their local or regional environment.
“With the debate on climate change increasingly on people’s minds, many businesses and organisations realise that being associated with a well-publicised awards ceremony to recognise environmental achievement has benefits,” she says

There are award categories for businesses, the public sector, community groups – urban and rural, as well as an individual and youth award. The awards in 2005 saw a diverse range of winners. Resene Paints walked off with Business Award for their PaintWise programme. Under the scheme Resene donated paint in good condition, that otherwise would have likely ended up in a landfill, to community projects.

Meanwhile schools in Bucklands Beach and Birkenhead were lauded for their commitment to environmental education.

Project Leader for ARC, Cathy Klouwens, says ‘There’s still time to apply before entries close on 23 May.

“We’re really keen to hear from any businesses or organisations and are here to answer people’s questions and help them apply.”
For more information about the award categories and judging criteria, plus entry forms are available online at www.arc.govt.nz/environmentawards or by calling 366 2000 or 0800 80 60 40.

ENDS

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