3M, which has a manufacturing plant at Aycliffe, has won its second annual award in a row for sustainability from the organisation Business in the Community (BITC)
The Big Tick award has been presented in the Marketplace Sustainability Leadership category and heralds the company’s ongoing achievements.
A Big Tick is the first level of accolade in the Responsible Business Awards, the UK’s longest-running and most respected awards scheme recognising businesses that are making a positive difference to society and to the environment.
BITC chief executive Stephen Howard said: “All year round, responsible businesses across the UK are contributing towards more resilient communities, stimulating local economies, creating diverse, skilled and healthy workforces and addressing skills shortages – yet these activities rarely get attention.
“The Responsible Business Awards shine a much needed spotlight on the powerful impact of business. I congratulate 3M for its Big Tick reaccreditation, which is a powerful symbol of business doing more to bring about change.”
The award recognised how sustainability is a way of life for 3M and highlighted the success of its ongoing programmes to reduce energy use and waste.
The diversified technology company also runs a 3M 4Good programme in which all employees are encouraged to carry out a day’s work each year on environmental and other projects in the community on company time.
Among the products manufactured at its Heighington Lane plant are respirators for worker safety and a range of products for the vehicle aftercare market.
Managing director Paul Keel said: “Winning a Big Tick award for the second year running is thanks to the continued efforts of everyone across the business and it’s very pleasing for us all that these efforts have been nationally recognised by the BITC.”
3M technical director Wynne Lewis (centre) receives the award from BITC chief executive Stephen Howard (left) and Jonathan Garratt of the awards sponsors Jaguar Land Rover
