Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is encouraging businesses and government organisations who have shown leadership in environment protection to enter the 2016 Premier's Sustainability Awards.
EPA is sponsoring the Environmental Protection award for businesses who have demonstrated positive outcomes for conserving and protecting Victoria’s environment.
EPA Chief Executive Officer Nial Finegan said the award category was one of 10 of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards, which recognised Victorians who were helping to build a sustainable future.
“The Environment Protection category encourages business innovation and helps us to tell the story of Victorians who have a passion for our environment,” Mr Finegan said.
Entries are open for small to medium enterprises, large businesses and state and local government organisations who are leading the way in environmental citizenship.
Particular emphasis will be placed on projects demonstrating stakeholder collaboration and innovative approaches which exceed best practice.
“We encourage any business that has reduced its environmental impact or come up with new and more sustainable ways of working to think about entering,” Mr Finegan said.
Mr Finegan said for some businesses, putting in place environmentally-friendly, sustainable initiatives could also improve their bottom line.
Last year’s winner of the Environmental Protection category, Bosch Australia, developed a technique to reclaim copper from manufacturing wastewater at its Clayton Manufacturing Plant.
The treatment process could be applied to other wastewater containing metals, enabling businesses to reduce their landfill impact and generate additional income by selling valuable metals.
“Other businesses may find they can reduce their waste disposal costs by recycling or reusing materials, so there can be many added benefits to sustainable practices,” Mr Finegan said.
Entrants have the opportunity to be seen as a sustainability leader, enhance their reputation and share their achievements with the wider community.
Entries for the Premier's Sustainability Awards close at 5pm on Monday 27 June, and finalists will be announced in late August.
Finalists are then invited to attend the awards event on Thursday 20 October – a night of celebration and a great platform to network and meet other sustainability leaders.
To enter and for more information go to
www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au.