The finalists for the Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network regional awards have been announced.
Businesses up for awards recognising their efforts to run their firms sustainably include two Rotorua companies, two Kawerau businesses, two local authorities, a Whakatane firm and a local polytechnic.
The Emerging Large Business category is a completely
local affair.
Kawerau's SCA Hygiene Australasia manufactures and markets brands including Purex, Hygenex, Handee, Deeko, Treasures, Sorbent, Tork, Libra and Tena.
It is up against log management company Kajavala Forestry Limited, also of Kawerau, and early childhood learning centre Earlybirds Educare, of Rotorua.
Rotorua's P L Gas and Solar is also a contender in the Small Business Trailblazer award for its work supplying and installing gas and solar powered heating and hot water systems throughout the central North Island.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty and Rotorua also dominate the Not For Profit category.
The diverse nature of the organisations up for this award made judging difficult and Sustainable Business Network Bay of Plenty regional manager Jo Wills said all candidates had been put through and the winner would be announced at the awards night on Thursday, September 30.
But she said it was positive to see entries from such a diverse range of industries and from across the entire region in all categories.
"The calibre of entrants is extremely high, and it's heartening to see the dedication to environmentally and socially responsible activities within these businesses."
Each entrant has participated in the network's Get Sustainable Challenge, undergoing an assessment of their businesses on everything from strategy and policies to operations and performance monitoring. The resulting report is aimed at helping firms set sustainability goals for 2010 and beyond.
A new Productivity award has been introduced this year. It is a joint award from the Sustainable Business Network and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and also includes the Waikato and Taranaki regions.
The awards evening will be held at Rotorua's Distinction Hotel and tickets are $130 per person or $1200 for a table of 10. Book at bop@sustainable.org.nz or call (07) 577 9355 by Wednesday, September 22.
Winners will go on to compete in the 2010 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards in Auckland on November 16.
