Teaching Talons and Willow Tree Distilling are the finalists for the Central Bedfordshire Council and Green Business Network sponsored ‘Sustainability Award’ at the SME Luton and Bedfordshire Business Awards 2022.

Both companies impressed the judges by embracing sustainability and using innovative approaches to do their bit for the environment.

Central Bedfordshire Council and Green Business Network are delighted to be sponsoring the ‘Sustainability Award’, as part of their ongoing commitment to showcase and celebrate the best green businesses in the region.

Cllr Steve Dixon, Executive Member for Sustainability and Transformation who will be presenting the Sustainability Award, said: “I would like to congratulate the two finalists, Teaching Talons from Flitwick and Willow Tree Distilling from Sandy, who will attend this important event and are up for this prestigious sustainable business award. The nomination is great exposure, and the event will see them meet and network with other high-profile businesses from across Bedfordshire.

"In line with our Sustainability Plan, we are proactively encouraging businesses to become more sustainable. This enables them to reduce waste, energy, and water which saves money, and embracing sustainability offers new business and growth opportunities.”

The awards judge, Jane Varley from the Green Business Network, said: “It’s more important than ever that businesses look to demonstrate their commitment to becoming sustainable. The Green Business Network was delighted to see entries from companies in Central Bedfordshire who had taken steps early on to reduce energy, carbon emissions, water, and waste – by being innovative and imaginative in their approach. The SME Business Awards is an ideal opportunity for them to celebrate their achievements.

“It was really gratifying to hear from businesses who had started their companies and put sustainability at the heart of what they do. From the outset, they had designed their products and services to eliminate or reduce their environmental impacts. Much of this they achieved by taking innovative and imaginative approaches.”

The awards ceremony is organised by Events & PR Ltd and takes place on 22^nd September 2022 at the Bedford Corn Exchange. They are widely recognised as the most respected and high-profile awards for the business community in the county, as the winners go through to the SME National Business Awards in December 2022.