Celebrating environmental excellence: Suffolk awards launched

The Creating the Greenest County Awards return for a 13th time.
Published: 16 Nov 2023
The group of winners from the 2023 Awards pose on stage
Creating the Greenest County Awards winners in 2023.

The Awards celebrate the achievements of Suffolk’s residents, businesses, schools, communities, and organisations who are protecting our environment and reducing their carbon emissions.

The Awards, organised by Suffolk County Council, recognise the incredibly valuable environmental work that is being done throughout Suffolk, by bringing people together, sharing ideas and inspiring one another.

It’s a joy to discover the work of local businesses, schools and communities who commit so much energy to protect our environment and help make Suffolk an even better place to live.
Cllr Richard Rout
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment

This year, nominations for those working in agriculture and farming are particularly welcome.

Categories for the 2024 Awards are:

  • Waste Reduction and Recycling Award
  • Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscape Award
  • Greenest Business Award
  • Greenest Small Business Award
  • Greenest Community Award
  • Green Hero Award (People’s Choice award)
  • Greenest School Award
  • Green Tourism Award

Nominations are now open online and close on 31 January 2024, with winners announced at an event to be held on 27 March 2024, at The Hold in Ipswich.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, said:

“Every time we run these Awards, it’s a joy to discover the work of local businesses, schools and communities who commit so much energy to protect our environment and help make Suffolk an even better place to live.

“This year, I’d particularly welcome nominations that recognise the fantastic work that takes place in the county’s agriculture and agribusiness sectors. We’re extremely proud of Suffolk’s rural nature and would like to celebrate the sustainable practices among our county's diverse agricultural and food production community.

“As a county and country, if we’re to meet the challenge of adapting to a changing climate and protect our environment, we need to collaborate and address these issues that face us all. Our Awards will recognise those who are doing just that.”

The winner of last year’s Green Community Award was Bury Bike Train, a project for children to ride their own bikes to and from school in a group, supported by adult cyclists.

Libby Ranzetta, Director of EcoCarriers BSE, said:

“Winning the Green Community Award was a great morale boost for everyone involved in the Bike Train project and has helped enormously in promoting it - people can see that the project is a bit special, and they are more likely to want to feel part of it.”

As is now tradition, the Green Hero Award, will recognise individuals who have taken it upon themselves to lead the way in working for the environment. It’s the only award for which both the nominees and the winners are chosen by the public.

Nominations can be submitted online at www.greensuffolk.org/awards