Award scheme for waste-watching Bankside businesses

The Environmental Business Awards are organised into four categories; baseline, bronze, silver and gold. The scheme was launched at the Bankside Information Day on Friday. If successful, it will be extended to cover the rest of the borough.

Each award has a different set of criteria that businesses need to meet. They include setting up a recycling scheme, asking customers if they need a bag instead of automatically giving them one and displaying anti-litter posters.

Rewards for businesses taking part in the scheme include certificates and window stickers to display in their premises, and an annual celebration event to showcase good practice.

Cllr Richard Thomas, Southwark Council's Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: "Businesses have a huge role to play in helping us to make Southwark a cleaner and greener borough.

"This scheme aims to reward businesses that make positive practical changes in the amount of waste they produce and which encourage their customers to do the same."

Any businesses in the Bankside area wanting more information on the awards can contact Helen Blake in Southwark Council's Street Improvement Team on 020 7525 2437 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

Businesses apply for an Environmental Business Award by filling out an application form. For the baseline and bronze levels this is the end of the application process. For silver and gold levels, an informal visit will be made to the business after receiving the application form to see what steps they have taken to reach the award level. Awards remain valid for a two year period, after which an assessor will visit the premises to check that the business is still fulfilling the criteria.