Aberdeen City Council rewards environmental initiatives

23 November 2016

Aberdeen City Council recognised the efforts made by local people in making Aberdeen a more sustainable city at an awards ceremony.

The EcoCity Awards are open to individuals, community groups, schools, businesses and charities.

Winners received a share of £3,000 prize money during the ceremony at the Beach Ballroom to continue their projects.

Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Convener Councillor Neil Cooney said: “It is great to see the people of Aberdeen rewarded for their efforts to make Aberdeen a more sustainable city. It is a testament to Aberdeen City Council’s commitment to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice.

“These initiatives will add to the many projects already taking place in Aberdeen that are reducing emissions, improving efficiency and in turn improving the quality of life for Aberdeen citizens.”

The Aberdeen Eco City Awards were established in 2007 as an annual campaign to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice in Aberdeen. The awards are hosted by Aberdeen City Council.

The individuals and groups recognised this year were:

Fairtrade EcoCity award Winner

Craig Willox, Books and Beans café. A local café which has successfully sold Fairtrade hot drinks and snacks for 13 years.

Sustainable Travel EcoCity Award Winner

Middleton Park School - Our Big Cycle. A cycling event that involved all pupils.

Waste Reduction EcoCity Award Winner

TechKnow project. A collaborative project providing workshops and collection points for unwanted electrical equipment (E-waste).

Clean-Up Champions - Individual

Heather Lyon. For her efforts in cleaning up the beach in the wake of Storm Frank.

Clean-Up Champions - Organisation

Powis Residents’ Group. They regularly hold community clean up days and take a pride in improving the community for everyone to enjoy.

Growing Smarter EcoCity Award Winners - Junior

Hanover Street School - Environmental Channel Spread the Word. A class produced a news video of the environmental work that they have been involved in over the last year.

Growing Smarter EcoCity Award Winners - Individual

Sinclair Laing, Donside Hydro Project. The renewable energy generated will displace the equivalent of approximately 240 tonnes of CO2 per year and will power the equivalent of 130 homes.

Growing Smarter EcoCity Award Winners - Organisation

Donside Community Association, Donside Hydro Project. Scotland’s first urban community hydro project, placing the UK’s largest “Archimedes Screw” to harness the flow of the Don to generate electricity.

Judges Award Winner

Powis Green Space Project. For their community garden for local residents with new raised beds that are accessible by wheelchair users.

Overall EcoCity Award Winner

Donside Community Association, Donside Hydro Project.