CIWM recognises 'green' initiatives

Facilities management companies have only a short time left to enter the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) Awards for Environmental Excellence, which recognise and reward companies that have introduced successful measures to reduce their environmental impact.

Now in their third year, the 2009 CIWM Excellence Awards will be hosted by entrepreneur and TV’s Dragon’s Den investor, Deborah Meaden, at The Dorchester, Park Lane, London on 11 November 2009. The judging panel brings together senior figures and experts from a number of fields and sectors, including: Dr Liz Goodwin, chief executive of WRAP, Jane Milne, director of business & environment for the British Retail Consortium, John Ingham, environment editor at the Daily Express, Simon Chapman of the Freight Transport Association, Owen Jenkins, director of CIRIA and Colin Mew of the Health & Safety Executive.

Steve Lee, chief executive of CIWM, said: “Facilities management is one of a number of industry fields that are increasingly linked into the recycling and waste minimisation agenda. Managing facilities sustainably involves developing new approaches to resource use and product and service specification. The sector is working hard to reduce waste, as well as deliver improvements in other areas such as energy efficiency, and it is important that we recognise these positive developments.”

A range of facilities management companies, both large and small, are being encouraged to enter the awards. Entrants can demonstrate environmental excellence in a variety of areas: the use of sustainable products and services; initiatives to reduce waste and increase recycling; and training and awareness raising.

Last year saw many high profile and high quality submissions, and CIWM is expecting more of the same this year. Finalists from the facilities management sector included The Eden Project, ExCeL London, and Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Mitie & Hewlett Packard won the Sustainable Facilities Management Performance award for successful partnership working to deliver a full programme of waste and recycling services at Hewlett Packard’s main UK sites at Bracknell, Bristol and Erskine. The electronics company achieved an overall UK recycling rate of between 70 and 80% each month, while its manufacturing sites achieved figures of around 85%.

www.ciwmawards.com