Green Week - 2006 environment awards
Nicholas Hanley, head of the European Commission's Environment Communication and Governance unit, awarded the 2006 European Business Awards for the Environment on 1 June, recognising many new environment-friendly technologies. He also presented awards for cities and schools. The Business Awards fell into five categories, with companies from the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland and Italy winning gongs. The cities award for mobility went to Copenhagen, while schoolchildren from Latvia and Greece took the top schools prizes. The Business Awards attracted more applicants than ever before, with 139 entries from 23 countries. Winners were chosen by a panel of 12 environmental experts, representing industry, academia, non-governmental environmental organisations, and public authorities. The Product Award went jointly to the UK's Windsave LTD, and Spain's DTS OABE. Windsave manufacture compact wind turbines from recycled materials, designed to be used on houses or offices. They can be used by households or small businesses to reduce the strain on the national grid systems. DTS OABE developed an environmentally friendly pesticide, applied in a lacquer. The system means less pesticide is used, and it is considerably less toxic, making it suitable for schools or hospitals. The Process award went to Germany's Volkswagen AG, for developing a mechanical process to turn materials from scrapyard cars into raw materials for new cars. While the metal parts of cars have been readily recycled for some time, this new process focuses on the 20 per cent of parts not easily recycled. The panel recognised that the processes have pre-empted future EU legislation in this field. The Management Award went to Italy's Sotral SpA - a small company of just 18 employees - for its revolutionary approach to catering. The company plans with high accurately its logistical costs, and then regulates them precisely, minimising its environmental impact while maximising its profit. The International Cooperation Award went to Netherlands-based iD-L Inspired Innovations for its RagBag product, attractive bags made in India from recycled materials. The panel found the method to have significant applications for other products. The European Mobility Week Award went to Copenhagen for its sustainable urban transport system, promoting car-sharing and reserving city centre access for pedestrians and cyclists for three days. Finally, the schools prizes went to seven year-old Anastasija Caplinska from Latvia (pictured) and to the eighth High School of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Countries
Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom