1. What is the Green Business Awards?

The Salisbury GBA is a new initiative to help local independent businesses become more eco-friendly. It will celebrate and promote local independent businesses that are making positive changes for the environment while providing support for those who would like to do more. 

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The Salisbury Green Business Awards Scheme is free for businesses to take part in and is designed to encourage and inform businesses about simple ways to reduce their environmental impacts, helping them to make sustainable changes that support local and national climate targets. 

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The project aims to create a thriving, sustainable local economy that keeps money circulating in the local community.

 

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2. Why is it important for businesses to become more environmentally friendly?

Climate change is a global threat which will impact the lives of everyone on the planet. Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire council have both declared a climate emergency and are aiming to become carbon neutral by 2030. Whilst the government has a target of carbon neutrality by 2050. In order to meet these governmental targets it will require action from authorities, organisations as well as individuals. While UK businesses are responsible for 44% of non-household emissions, therefore play an essential role and will need to adopt environmental practices to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

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​From a marketing point of view, many consumers are starting to shop with the environment in mind, by becoming more environmentally friendly, you will be putting your business at a competitive advantage and attract more conscientious shoppers.

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​3. What is the Green Business Award Process?

• Complete the questionnaire for your business

• You will then receive your business score, scoring review document and information toolkit within the next 7 days. (We need time to look at your answers and provide feedback)

• If you fall short of achieving the award, you have the opportunity to set SMART targets and implement further green changes before re-submitting the questionnaire again.

• If you are eligible for an award we will ask you to provide evidence by email or in person. Once evidenced, you will receive your Gold, Silver or Bronze Green Business Award

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4. How long will the whole process take?

​The short answer… How long is a piece of string? 😅

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​The long answer… Depending on how green your business already is, and how much time you have available to put towards making your business greener will determine how long the overall process will take.

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​The questionnaire itself will take you roughly 30 minutes, depending on your answers. 

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​5. How much does it cost to take part in the Green Business Awards?

The Green Business Awards is free to enter, unlike other schemes that charge for notoriety, we didn't want cost to be a barrier, allowing businesses of all sizes to benefit from local recognition.

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6. What information will be asked for in the questionnaire?

The questionnaire includes a series of questions in 5 main categories: Energy, Transport, Finance, Waste and Organisational Practices. Depending on your answers, you will then be provided with a score for each question. 

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​7. Who can complete the questionnaire?

Because the questionnaire contains questions regarding how the business is run and what suppliers are used, it is best for the questionnaire to be completed by the business owner or a manager with good knowledge of business practices.

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​8. What award could I win?

Depending on your final score, you would be able to win a Bronze, Silver or Gold award. The awards have been created locally with the environment in mind and will be created using locally sourced wood. There is also the option to have a local artist paint the GBA logo and award won onto your shop or office window.

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​You will also receive a social media promotion pack as well as the GBA logo that you can use on your website, email signature or in newsletters. In addition, you will benefit from local media endorsement for being a ‘Green Business’, making your customers aware of the achievement of their efforts while encouraging other companies to get involved.

 

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9. What evidence will I need to provide before receiving the award?

Below a list of evidence we may ask you to provide, depending on your answers. Some can be sent via email, other evidence will be checked when we visit your business before handing over the Award.

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​Don’t worry, we don’t ask for confidential documents, just proof with your business name on relevant documents.

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​Proof of evidence* via email:

• Renewable energy provider

• Bank provider

• Pension provider 

• Recycling provider

• Low-carbon home delivery mode

• Green Strategy for your business

• Any green digital providers (website, cloud storage…)

• Any other environmentally friendly/climate mitigation practices, products or services 

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​Proof of evidence* when we visit your premises:

• Ethical & eco-friendly products you use

• Eco-friendly transportation scheme (car sharing, public transport, bike locks…)

• The carbon footprint of your business

• Ethical teas & coffees

• Reusable crockery

• Specific waste collection

• The plant-based options available on your menu/ in your cafe

• Name of the appointed a sustainability person or team

• Recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging

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​*You will only be asked to provide evidence for the answers where you have scored a point.

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10. Who is eligible to win a Green Business Award?

SME’s, Independents and some franchises (depending on how much authority the business has to make decisions) will be considered in Salisbury and the surrounding areas. Your business will not be considered for this award if some or all of your main business activities involve environmentally damaging activities e.g. oil extraction or production of energy using fossil fuels. If you would like to check if your business is eligible, please email salisburygreenbusiness@gmail.com

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​11. How long will it take to receive the score for my business?

Depending on the number of business submissions, we aim to get your scoring and information toolkit back to you within 7 days. 

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​12. How will I receive the toolkit?

Once you have completed the Green business questionnaire you will receive an email containing your business score, a scoring review document and the information toolkit to give your business ideas on easy to implement eco-friendly changes. 

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13. What to expect when winning an award

If your business has scored high enough to achieve an award, you will be asked to evidence some of your answers. Once checked, you will receive an environmentally conscious GBA wooden award to display in your businesses.

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​You can also have the GBA hand painted on your shop or office window to show clients and customers their achievement. In addition, you will receive a social media promotion pack as well as the GBA logo that you can use on your website, email signature or in newsletters.

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​You will also benefit from local media endorsement for being a ‘Green Business’, making your customers aware of the achievement of their efforts while encouraging other companies to get involved.

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​14. I am not in Salisbury but would like to roll out a similar scheme in my area

The GBA scheme, whilst only currently available for businesses in Salisbury and the surrounding areas, is easily replicable in other towns and cities. If you are a local council body or environmental group and would like to celebrate local businesses that are making positive changes for the environment while providing support for those who would like to do more, email salisburygreenbusiness@gmail.com for a quotation.
You will receive template documents and training to be able to effectively roll out this scheme in your area.