A WATER company's environmental work has won two prizes at an international awards ceremony.

As reported in Business Echo on November 1, Yorkshire Water was shortlisted for the Green Apple Environment Awards.

At a ceremony in London, the company's environment and catchment team was named Green Champions, and the facilities department won a silver award for environmentally-friendly in-house policies.

Guests from all over the world attended the 11th event run by The Green Organisation, an independent, apolitical, non-activist, not-for-profit movement dedicated to recognising environmental best-practice around the world.

A total of 673 entries were received for this year's awards, with 23 from other utility companies.

Yorkshire Water's environment and catchment team's entry focused on the company's sustainable woodland management policies.

For example, in the past, low-grade timber from woods damaged by storms would have been burned and the area replanted with conifers.

Now, Yorkshire Water sells what wind-blown timber it can salvage to the sustainable timber trade and the sites are replanted with a wider variety of broad-leafed species or left to regenerate naturally.

Yorkshire Water's catchment and recreation manager, Geoff Lomas, said: "As a water company, our prime objective has to be to provide a safe, clean supply for our customers, but winning this award indicates that doesn't have to be at the expense of the natural environment."

Yorkshire Water's facilities team was recognised for establishing green policies throughout the company.

One part of its work is to recycle cardboard, aluminium cans, plastic cups, printer cartridges, plastic milk cartons, glass coffee jars and newspapers, reducing the costs of disposal by as much as 30 per cent.

Contract controller Margaret Smurfit said: "Getting the message embedded within the company has been a long-term project, but we are finally seeing the benefits and the award is dedicated to everyone who has played a part.

"However, we are not the only ones to benefit.

"By reducing the amount of waste going to landfill sites in lots of little ways, we are making a big difference to the impact Yorkshire Water's business operations have on the environment."

Published: 29/11/2005