BUSINESSES from across Kent have fought their way through to the finals of the Environment Awards for Kent Business 2004.

After a lengthy judging process, 21 companies have been selected for recognition through an award for their environmental achievements.

The businesses do not yet know the precise nature of their recognition nor whether one of them has been selected as ‘Kent Environment Business of the Year’, the county’s leading example of environmental best practice, commitment, or positive impact during 2004.

Cllr Richard King, the chair of the judging panel, said: “All the winners, although from very different industries, have demonstrated the significant contribution that can be made towards improving the environment at their individual places of work, in their supply chain and local community.”

Each finalist has successfully tackled its own environmental challenges in order to go beyond what is required by law, or have demonstrated exceptional action on reducing its impact, improving its resource efficiency, community support, protection of wildlife or in pioneering new innovation and enterprise.

Cllr King said: “Every year the judges are challenged by the array and diversity of action and commitments shown by Kent businesses in the environmental arena.

“These range from new management systems and techniques, skills development and training, and research and development, through to green marketing and improved products and service or technology application development.”

The 2004 Awards secured entries from 42 companies from across Kent and Medway, representing a wide range of sectors, professions and trades.

More than 75 specific projects or actions were entered as a result of a sustained promotional campaign supported by the Kent Messenger Group’s Kent Business newspaper and Business Link Kent.

The Awards sponsors are: Balfour Beatty; Business Link Kent; the Carbon Trust; the Environment Agency; Hillreed Homes; Kent Messenger Group; Kent Sustainable Business Partnership; and Pfizer.

* For further information on the Environment Awards for Kent Business call 01622 221859, or e-mail: environmentawards@kent.gov.uk