The awards scheme recognises and rewards businesses that contribute to Scotland’s sustainable development through improving processes or developing new products and services. The awards are free to enter and applications can be submitted until Monday 13th July.

Open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, VIBES aims to encourage efficient use of resources, enhance business competitiveness, improve environmental performance and support wider sustainable development goals. There are seven award categories open for entry this year including; Management Large, Management SME, Environmental Product or Service, Transport, Co-operation, Hydro-Nation and Circular Economy. In addition to this, the Micro Business Award will be presented to the best entry to any category from a company with less than 10 employees.

Last year, Graham Construction received a commendation in the Management (Large) Award category.

The construction company impressed judges with their commitment to environmental improvements which are integral to the business model from the design stage through to construction. As a result of the varied environmental processes the company has diverted 94 per cent waste from landfill in 2013/14. Each site also has a dedicated environmental manager and an environmental and site waste management plan regardless of size.

Previous industry winners include City Building, Clark Contracts and Laing O’Rourke.

Gillian Bruce, chair of the VIBES Awards, said: “Sustainable practices are becoming absolutely crucial to businesses of every kind and through VIBES we want to encourage the fantastic work being done by so many businesses that are working hard to make Scotland more environmentally aware.

“Over the years we have seen some fantastic ideas from a range of different sectors and we’re looking forward to seeing the work of Scotland’s businesses as we celebrate our sixteenth year of the VIBES Awards.”

VIBES is also offering businesses the opportunity to hear from former winners at a series of free events across the country. The events will provide businesses with more information on the awards as well as offering an opportunity to pick up helpful tips from previous sustainable champions.

Sponsoring the awards this year are Scottish Government, ScottishPower, Zero Waste Scotland, Brand-Rex, Chivas Brothers Pernod Ricard and The University of Stirling Management School.

VIBES is a strategic partnership between Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group. The awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and Bright Green Business.

To request your attendance at one of the events, please register through Eventbrite www.vibesawards.eventbrite.co.uk or email: vibes@sepa.org.uk.