Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) were among the winners of a scheme recognising sustainable businesses to collect their awards.
The Stroud-based charity picked up awards in the National Union of Students (NUS) Green Impact scheme, a United Nations award-winning programme designed to support environmentally and socially sustainable practice.
SVP picked up the highest possible award, Platinum, for their day-to-day sustainability, as well as an Above and Beyond award for the eel pass they installed at Arundel Mill Pond, near Stroud’s town centre, and commendations for Sustainability Hero for volunteer Rosie Wingate and for Sustainability Improvement on last year’s entry, when they picked up a Gold.
SVP’s CEO Clare Mahdiyone said: “At Stroud Valleys Project, sustainability is at the heart of what we do, every day of the year – so we are delighted to have this recognised in the NUS Green Impact Awards.
“Over the past few months, we’ve been focusing on reducing our environmental footprint both in the office, on-site when working on projects, and on the way to work. One action we have taken is reducing our use of electricity. Our staff now turn off monitors and PCs when they’re away from
their desks for half an hour or more. All staff turn off their monitors and PCs and unplug them at the end of the day; our sustainability monitor has reported not having to turn off or unplug equipment since before Christmas.
“Staff leave washing up until the end of the day to reduce water and power use, or they use the washing bowl, which is filled with soapy water.
“Our washing-up liquid comes from our sustainable refills – we are fortunate to be able to refill our washing up and cleaning fluids as soon as they run out, as we sell refills in our eco shop.
“We have a compost container for food scraps, which one of our project officers takes to our allotment when he goes, and we recycle paper, cardboard, food packages, cosmetics packaging and toothbrushes.
“We’ve reduced the use of on-site plastic; for example, recycling or removing tree guards and finding alternatives to plastic fencing.”
The awards ceremony took place at the New Lawn courtesy of Forest Green Rovers FC, hosted by members of Going the Extra Mile (GEM) project.
