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Cornwall Sustainability Awards 2008 won with Blood Sweat and Guts!After a day of celebration at the Royal Cornwall Show Ground, Launceston based slaughter house Jaspers has scooped the Over-All Winner award at this year’s Cornwall Sustainability Awards.
With intense competition coming from other category winners Woodland Valley Farm, Finisterre, Ruth Grant of Newquay Zoo, Enact Energy and Bedruthan Steps Hotel, the family owned business was recognised for the exceptional lengths it has gone to in reducing water consumption and carbon emissions.
Rachel Gill, Jaspers Environmental Co-ordinator said: “Winning our category was amazing in itself but to be Over-All Winner was really something special.
“The abattoir sector is well regulated, so our standards are already very high, but to go that extra mile and win an award for excellent sustainable practices shows dedication and hard work from the whole team, which I am very proud of.”
Jaspers has become environmental leaders for the abattoir sector of the food industry and was the first in the UK to be awarded a Certificate of Environmental Benefit from Defra for its approach to water recycling (recycling up to 90%). Its work is used as a case study by South West Water who has awarded the company a Certificate of Exceptional Water Use.
Dick Strawbridge, TV presenter and environmentalist who was on the judging panel and presented the 2008 awards said: “I was delighted to give this award to Jaspers as I know how much regulation surrounds its industry sector, so getting both prizes including Over-All Winner has taken a great deal of vision and hard graft.
“It was great to see such high standards and innovation amongst all the contestants and winners. I realise only too well that ‘being green’ takes belief, planning and investment but the rewards are great not just environmentally but economically, so today plays a key part in the process of encouraging people along their eco-journey.”
This annual event is funded and organised by the Environment Agency, Cornwall County Council and the five district and borough councils in Cornwall. It is sponsored by Envision, Rezolve Kernow Ltd, Cornwall Business College, Groundwork Devon and Cornwall, Community Energy Plus, Global Action Plan and Stralfors plc.
Gitty Ankers of The Environment Agency said: “The atmosphere here today was fantastic and a great testament to the progress made by large and small businesses across the county.
“Cornwall has really proved that it leads the way in sustainable business practices and we are only too pleased to reward those that have put in the effort, raising the bar for everyone.