Tan firm bags Green Award in London

MANILA, Philippines - Absolut Distillers, Inc., a subsidiary of Lucio Tan-owned Tanduay Distillers, bagged the gold award in the 2011 International Green Apple Environment Award in London for its green initiative called agro recycling of distillery effluents.

Absolut chairman Dr. Lucio Tan received the certificate and trophy in simple rites at the House of Commons in London, England during the The Green Organisation’s 18th annual international awarding ceremony. The tycoon was accompanied by wife Carmen, Absolut president Gerardo Tee and son Michael.

Hosted by The Rt Hon (Right Honourable) Liz Kendall, MP, the Green Apple Awards are presented annually in recognition of companies, councils and communities carrying out projects that enhance the environment. There were more than 500 nominations this year. 

In citing Absolut’s green initiative, the judges said: “By viewing their waste byproducts as commodities, Absolut significantly reduced their negative environmental impact, as well as producing new sources of green power and fertilizer. Such forward-thinking has changed attitudes towards the distillery and earned them several accolades.”

Based in Lian, Batangas, Absolut’s award-winning project will be featured in the next Green Book, one of the world’s leading references on environmental best practices. Prior to its UK award, Absolut’s green initiatives received numerous accolades including annual citations from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Office of the President and the Global CSR Awards 2011.

Roger Wolens, organizer of the Green Apple Award, said this year’s winners are true ‘Green Heroes’. “To show continued interest in environmental issues during the current financial climate shows great foresight and they deserve the recognition of being Green Apple Award winners,” he stressed.

“Organizations that go the extra mile and become International Green Heroes are demonstrating serious commitment to the world around them. They invest in a better future for us all and deserve to be recognized for their efforts,” he added.

The Green Apple Awards is run by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-political, non-profit organization based in UK that recognizes, rewards and promotes environmental best practices around the world.

The organization is supported by the UK Environment Agency, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and various other professional bodies.

The awardees were presented by Chris Hopkins of Ploughcroft Solar who revolutionized the United Kingdom’s solar power industry. Hopkins gained recognition on Dragons’ Den, a popular TV series aired on BBC network where budding entrepreneurs get three minutes to pitch their business ideas to five multi-millionaires willing to invest their own cash.