A SERIES of unique environmental projects that have helped Dublin to become a greener city have been rewarded for their efforts.
Ten organisations that have taken effective steps to protect the environment, from an optical shop that passes on old spectacles for reuse by Vision Aid Overseas and lighthouses and navigation buoys run on solar power, were recognised at the annual EnviroCom Awards.
The 10 winners received their awards from the cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Cllr Carrie Smyth and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.
Hosted by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber, the organisers paid tribute to the simple measures taken by the winners in categories including
‘Water Conservation’, Energy Management’,
‘Environmental Performance’ and
‘Engaging Communities’ in the past year.
The Specsavers store in the Dundrum Town Centre, which last year sent 2,000 pairs of spectacles to Vision Aid Overseas, won the
‘Engaging Communities in an Environmental Project’ award in the over 50 employees category.
The
‘Environmental Innovation’ award went to the Commissioners of Irish Lights whose solarisation programme of the last 20 years has transformed the energy efficiency of lighthouses.
Speaking at the ceremony, Margaret Coles, Green Business Officer with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, said:
“At a time when organisational budgets and resources are under intense pressure, all our EnviroCom nominees and winners have demonstrated the clear financial and environmental benefits of putting sustainability measures in place, for their employees, suppliers and customers.
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Commscope, Corke Abbey, Bray were awarded the
‘Waste Prevention’ category and the
‘Water Conservation’ Award went to Stillorgan Village Centre.
The
‘Green Transport Initiative’ category was won by Dublin Bus; the winner of the
‘Engaging Communities in An Environmental Project’ in the
‘fewer than 50 employees’ category was the Upcycle Movement and the Special Merit Award for companies with less than 10 employees went to Clearstream Solutions in Sandyford.
Finally, Go Green Cabs and Seapoint Rugby Club jointly won the
‘Environmental Innovation’ prize for companies with less than 50 employees.
Now in its seventh year, the EnviroCom Awards categories are sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Amgen, WEEE Ireland and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board.
Mainstream Renewable Power was a new corporate sponsor of the awards this year while RPS, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel and the Dublin People Group Newspapers also sponsored the awards.