Sustainable Business Award entries set standard

Sustainable Business Award entries set new standard

Entries received for the second Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Awards have set a new standard for sustainable business, according to Calum Revfem, regional manager of the BOP Sustainable Business Network (SBN). “It is exciting to see the new commitment shown by businesses to social and environmental sustainability as well as economic performance,” he said.

Run by SBN, businesses compete in five award categories recognising outstanding sustainable business practice in small, medium and large sized enterprises, sustainability innovation and sustainable economic development. The awards are the only regional awards of their kind in the country.

Major sponsor of the awards, Environment Bay of Plenty, says that the standard of this year’s entries reflect the awards’ theme Sustainable business makes sense. There is a growing realisation in the business community that sustainability is good for business, the environment and the community.

Alan Bougen, SBN Chairman and Director at Comvita, says the awards provide an excellent learning opportunity for businesses. “Entering the awards has challenged businesses to look at how sustainable they are and provides a benchmark from which to develop ongoing improvements,” he says. “There is never an ideal time to begin the sustainability journey, the awards are a prompt to make a start and I congratulate the businesses that have accepted the challenge.”

A panel of expert judges from around the country will assess the entries over the next month with the winners being announced at the Sustainable Business Awards Gala Dinner on June 3 in Rotorua. Tickets for the event are likely to sell out as they did in 2003, so attendees are advised to book with SBN without delay. Email kathryn@sustainable.org.nz or phone 07 9288778.

The awards are supported by Environment Bay of Plenty, the major sponsor, as well as the University of Waikato Management School, TrustPower, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Rotorua District Council and Bartercard.

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