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UK companies compete for green crown

The environment remains a top priority for the UK’s businesses, despite news that the recession is taking its toll on investment in green improvements.

According to the Government’s recent SME-nvironment survey of 7,000 UK small and medium-sized enterprises, the majority said they were unwilling to invest in greener performance in the current economic climate.

But the response to this year’s British Chambers of Commerce Green Award has been better than ever, with eight low-carbon regional winners now battling it out for the national title.

John Dunsmure, Managing Director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It’s great to see that so many companies out there are still focusing on the green agenda and recognise that if they build measures into their business plan they will reap the rewards of winning more work and saving money.”

In the North East judges singled out J C Atkinson and Son, which produces and sells 60,000 coffins a year to the funeral trade, using Forest Stewardship Council accredited wood in its award-winning low-carbon factory. Set up in 1936, the family firm has successfully embraced demand for ‘greener’ coffins at no extra cost to customers.

Scooping the national Green Award would mean the one of these companies would be in with a chance to collect the £50,000 cash prize. This goes to the category winner that judges believe stands out from the rest.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .