A Blackburn-based waste management company is celebrating after a double success at the 2010 Lancashire Business Environment Awards.
Neales Waste Management picked up a pair of awards recognising their dedication and commitment to protecting and enhancing Lancashire's environment. Neales were awarded the Environmental Innovation Award for their project that converts waste methane gas into renewable energy.
The initiative, at Clayton Hall Landfill Site near Chorley, creates enough electricity to power 700 homes, while cutting annual carbon emissions by the equivalent of around 30,000 tonnes, equal to the environmental benefit of three million trees.
Howard Rushton, Operations Director for Neales Waste Management, said: "We are delighted to receive this award. We are committed to sourcing safe and environmentally friendly power alternatives and to continually reduce the energy used on site.
Debbie Salmon, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager for Neales Waste Management, also scooped the Environmental Champion Award for her efforts concerning hazardous waste. This Environmental Award recognises outstanding performance by an individual who has encouraged others to become more environmentally aware and put time and effort into organising environmental projects in their workplace.
Debbie said: "It is a fantastic honour to receive this award. I am dedicated to ensuring that as a company we are very conscious of our environmental impact and to have my efforts recognised is brilliant."
Neales has been instrumental in providing safe, effective waste minimisation and recycling programmes to northwest business and commerce for over 20 years.
Howard added: "Our success at the Business Environment Awards recognises our dedication to reducing the local environment's carbon footprint, while also addressing global warming and climate change.
"At Neales we are a very forward-thinking and innovative company and have long been dedicated to improving the handling of waste." Neales Waste Management has also been shortlisted in the 2010 Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards for the Environment Award.
The Lancashire Business Environment Awards are run by environmental charity Groundwork Pennine Lancashire.