The winners of the annual ECHO Environment Awards, sponsored by Merseyrail, were revealed last night at our virtual awards ceremony hosted by the BBC’s Roger Johnson.
The awards, normally staged at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory, in Stanley Park, were broadcast online due to concerns about social gathering restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
And while we missed the beautiful setting and the excitement of a real awards ceremony the event was still a fitting tribute to the green giants who are making Merseyside a better place to live, work and play.
Liverpool Echo editor Maria Breslin said: "2020 - a year none of us will ever forget. Covid-19 touched all our lives and changed them forever - whether through the loss of loved ones, shattered dreams, family separation or simple changes to daily routines we once took for granted.
"But if it is possible to draw any positives from the pandemic it is the manner in which communities across Merseyside pulled together to support the most vulnerable, to show their appreciation for frontline workers and to help each other get through these unprecedented times.
"And it’s that same spirit that the awards celebrated. We applauded the men, women and children determined to make our streets, neighbourhoods, schools, colleges and workspaces better places - the people striving to improve our environment and, ultimately, playing a huge part in making the world a better place for future generations.
"Selfless, principled, hard-working and often feisty, refusing to take no for an answer,they are the people and the organisations making a big difference simply because you care. The Echo Environment Awards was a tribute to them all.”
Andy Heath, Managing Director of executive sponsors Merseyrail, said: "“2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us. Despite this, it was a real pleasure to be the Executive Partner of the Liverpool Echo Environment Awards and see the incredible things people have been doing and continue to do across our City Region.
"It truly fits with our vision of providing a safe, sustainable and connected transport system to the Liverpool City Region.
"Although we were unable to all be together, the evening was a true success and a special thank you must go to Reach and the Liverpool Echo for delivering an innovative approach enabling these awards to happen.
"Each one of the nominees and winners were rightfully acknowledged for their incredible work. From individuals to large organisations it is remarkable to see so many sharing the our vision to live in a greener, more sustainable City Region. This makes me extremely optimistic for our future."
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The winners were:
Young Environmental Champion, sponsored by Nature Connected
Winner: The Green Machine, Birkdale High School
Green School of the Year sponsored by The Mersey Forest
Winner: All Saints Anfield
Finalists: St Hilda’s CofE High School & Heswall Primary School
Healthy Living Award sponsored by Merseryrail
Winner: The Brink
Finalists: Taking Root In Bootle & Wirral Unplugged
Community Impact Award sponsored by Arriva
Winner: Bootle Action Group
Finalists: LoveWavertree, Make CIC & Friends of Norris Green Park
Outstanding environmental project or action undertaken for Year of Environment 2019, sponsored by Liverpool City Region Year of the Environment
Winner: Greenspace Challenge, City Nature Challenge and I-Naturalist (volunteers recorders, Croxteth Volunteers, LWT and Merseyside BioBank)
Finalists: Knowsley Council Green Space Rangers & Liverpool John Moores University
The Zero Waste Award sponsored by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, and Veolia
Winner: Refill (UK) South Liverpool
Finalists: The Hoylake Pantry: Zero Waste Shopping & Mortons Dairies
CSR Award sponsored by Peel L&P
Winner: B&M Waste
Finalists: Cobalt Housing & StedyChefs
New Green Business of the Year sponsored by In Your Area
Winner: The Alchemic Kitchen
Finalists: The Hoylake Pantry:Zero Waste Shopping & Smart Creative Technologies
Green Business of the Year sponsored by Merseyrail
Winner: Mortons Dairies
Finalists: B&M Waste & The Webinar Vet
Environmental Champion sponsored by United Utilities
Winner: Joshua Styles - Project Coordinator, North-West Rare Plant Initiative
Finalists: Maria Williams - Education Programme Leader, B&M Waste & Andy Scargill - Volunteer & Chair of the Friends of Countess of Chester Land Trust
