Companies in Scotland are continuing to step up to increasing environmental challenges and 10 Scottish companies were rewarded for their commitment to sustainability at the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.

Those awarded include; Aqualution Systems Ltd, Beyond Green, Clearwater Controls Ltd, Devro (Scotland) Ltd, Hickory, Peel Tech Ltd, Scottish Leather Group Limited, Spruce Carpets Limited, The James Hutton Institute and Xanthella. Aberdeen City Council Countryside Ranger Service and DSM Nutritional Products (UK) Limited also received commendation at the award ceremony held at Radisson Blu in Glasgow and attended by more than 400 business figures.

The announcement follows a judging process, where each of the 43 finalists were visited by a team of judges to assess their environmental processes.

The 10 businesses awarded, which represent a range of sectors and sizes, demonstrated challenging their everyday working practices to embrace the economic opportunity of sustainability with all reaping the wider associated benefits including increased resource efficiency, resilience, competitiveness as well as a positive working culture.

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The businesses were awarded under a range of categories including; management (large and small), circular economy, environmental product or service, hydro nation water innovation, green team, innovation, sustainable and active travel and micro business - highlighting the diverse ways businesses can implement best practice in their daily activity

This included everything from repurposing donated carpet for re-sale to the development of a safe disinfectant which can be used across multiple sectors from farming and food to pharmaceuticals.

The awards also demonstrated how even small changes can have a big difference, for example adopting active travel practices that reduce both reliance on cars and carbon emissions to implementing management programmes that empower staff to make more sustainable choices.

One of the biggest threats to humanity is climate change and in light of this, a Climate Adaptation Award was also introduced this year in partnership with Adaptation Scotland to reward a business that demonstrates managing climate related risks. This was awarded to The James Hutton Institute for its innovative work on the International Barley Hub, an ambitious development to create a world-leading centre to translate excellence in barley research and innovation into economic, social and environmental benefits. Aberdeen City Council Countryside Ranger Service also received commendation in this category.