Scarf Ltd in Aberdeen and Elan Hair Design in Aberdeenshire are among the 32 Scottish companies that have been shortlisted for this year’s Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards following a record number of entries.
A diverse range of companies from across Scotland entered the 17th annual environmental award scheme which recognises and rewards the commitment, actions and achievements of Scottish companies working hard to reduce their impact on the environment.
A vibrant social enterprise with charitable status, Scarf Ltd operates across the north east of Scotland and has been shortlisted for the Green Team Award. The company was formed to tackle fuel poverty in the area and also focuses on energy efficiency, sustainable living and carbon reduction.
Inverurie based Elan Hair Design has been shortlisted for the Management SME Award. The family hairdresser is committed to the environment and was highly commended at the 2012 VIBES Awards and a finalist in 2014. The salon is committed to reducing waste and has already cut its carbon emissions by 94% and diverted 95% of its waste from landfill as well as reducing water consumption by 82%.
The shortlisted businesses will attend a special ceremony on November 8 2016 at the Radisson Blu, where the winners of all eight categories will be announced.
Awards will be presented for Management (SME (under 250 employees) and Large (250+ employees)), Environmental Product or Service, Transport and Circular Economy along with two new categories, Green Team and Innovation, a special theme category in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design. There will also be a Hydro Nation Challenge Award in collaboration with WaterAid.
A Micro Business Award will be presented for the best entry to any category from a company with less than 10 employees.
Gillian Bruce, chair of the VIBES Awards, said: “It’s been a fantastic start to the 17th annual awards with a record number of entries keeping our judges busy. VIBES is dedicated to recognising companies which have taken significant steps to reducing their environmental impact so it’s extremely rewarding to see such a wide range of businesses sharing their great work with us.
“The variety of entries really highlights the different steps businesses are taking and how even the smallest of changes can positively impact the environment and indeed the business. Those shortlisted each impressed the judges with their creative ideas, passion and commitment to the environment and business issues and we are very much looking forward to celebrating their efforts at the ceremony later this year.”
Sponsoring the awards this year are Scottish Government, ScottishPower, Chivas Brothers Pernod Ricard, Anglian Water, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Scottish Centre for Sustainable Practice and Living. The University of Stirling Management School is a venue sponsor.
VIBES is a strategic partnership between Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group. The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, Bright Green Business and Quality Scotland.
The Awards are accredited by the RSA Environment Awards Accreditation Scheme (www.rsaaccreditation.org).
Regular updates on the VIBES Awards 2016 will be posted on Twitter. Follow @VibesAwards or visit http://www.vibes.org.uk/news/.