london,
07
September
2020
|
11:17
Europe/London

Call for firms to enter London’s top environmental awards

City firms cutting back on single-use plastics and committing to improve London’s air quality are being urged to enter the capital’s top environmental gongs.

The City of London Corporation, which runs the Clean City Awards, wants to hear from firms of all sizes and sectors across the Square Mile. The awards open for applications on Monday (7th September).

The scheme, now in its 26th year, rewards businesses leading the way in improving environmental performance – be it by reducing their plastic use, taking action to cut their carbon emissions or just going that extra mile to be more environmentally friendly.

There are four award categories:

  • Resource and Circular Economy
  • Plastic Free City
  • Air Quality and Climate Action
  • Communication and Engagement

There is also a chance to apply for and win the Chairman’s Cup, which looks at organisation’s environmental and sustainability performance, and behaviour change during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Applications are open until 16 October 2020.

Winners from last year include the Bank of England, Bow Lane Dental Group, Linklaters and Standard Chartered Bank.

Together, they cut over a million sets of single-use plastic cutlery, and tens of thousands of plastics cups, water bottles and plastic toothbrushes. Hundreds of thousands of plastic coffee cups were also eliminated.

Keith Bottomley, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Environmental Services Committee, said:

The Clean City Awards recognise how City businesses are pushing the boundaries on environmental sustainability.

“Our ambition is to make the City of London free of single-use plastics and harness the clear desire amongst City workers, residents and visitors to eliminate their use.

“We want to hear from firms going above and beyond by reducing plastic, improving recycling and helping to keep the streets clean.”

The City Corporation is leading by example and has pledged to eradicate unnecessary single-use plastic at the entire organisation by 2021.

Last year the City Corporation installed a number of new water refill points in the Square Mile as part of the Plastic Free City campaign.

Plastic Free City is a campaign launched by the City Corporation in 2018 calling for businesses and individuals to reduce single-use plastics across the Square Mile.

Over 200 of the City’s pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants have also become part of a network of water bottle refill stations, where the public can refill reusable water bottles – all found on the Refill app.

In April 2017, the City Corporation, Hubbub and partners from across Square Mile launched the Square Mile Coffee Cup Challenge, resulting in over half a million coffee cups being recycled in April 2017 alone, with a total of four million by the end of that year. The campaign raised awareness in London and across the UK of the impact of coffee cup litter on the environment.

City businesses need to sign up and pay to join the Clean City Awards Scheme before applying for the awards. Members can attend best practice meetings and have access to resources and networking opportunities To sign up, apply and find out more information please visit www.ccaslondon.co.uk

ENDS

Media Enquiries

Kristina Drake

Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

07710860884 / 020 7332 1125

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The City Corporation is the port health authority for London, the largest port health authority in the UK, responsible for services on the River Thames, from Teddington to the English Channel. It protects public health by preventing infectious disease, ensuring water quality, making vessel inspections and enforcing environmental controls.

It is also responsible for keeping the City clean. The Square Mile is the world’s leading international financial centre and its 450,000 workers and 9,400 residents rightly expect the street scene to be of a very high standard in which to live and work.