ABM scoops international environmental award

Integrated technical and facilities solutions provider, ABM, has won a Green Apple Environmental Award, taking the global bronze award at an international ceremony in Miami, for its work carried out in collaboration with Victoria Leeds Shopping Centre, a premium shopping and lifestyle destination in West Yorkshire.

In the international campaign to find the greenest companies, councils and communities, ABM continues to impress judges with this year’s win building on the team’s Green Apple award in 2019, a silver award in 2021 and gold in 2022.  

The focus of the latest win is the site’s focus on using natural resources within the shopping centre efficiently, conserving the landscape and contributing to the local economy. 

Standout results include:  

• Solar panel installation has resulted in 210,493kwh being generated, saving 34.9tonnes of emissions and offsetting the same amount of CO2 as planting 462 trees. 
• A waste coffee grounds initiative has diverted over 21 tonnes of grounds away from waste streams by utilising it across external planting areas as soil enricher. This has also now been adopted across the portfolio at other sites.  
• The introduction of Re-Food bins has saved just over £7,000 on operating costs per annum  and all food waste on site is 100 per cent recycled.  
• A partnership with First Forge recycling to reduce the number of collections lowered the site’s carbon footprint and costs simultaneously. Through several of Forge’s Carbon Offsetting Schemes, the site’s collections are now carbon neutral.  
• Victoria Quarter has been transformed from 50 per cent fake plants on display to 100 per cent real plants.  The same process is under way at Victoria Gate, which will be finished by the end of July. A local flower stall in Leeds market (Brian’s Flowers) has been appointed to the project as part of the focus on the local economy.  
• A bespoke bug hotel takes pride of place on site to increase biodiversity.  
• A partnership with a local employment charity has also been a huge success. A gentleman who was homeless and unemployed for the majority of his adult life joined the team in 2019 and he remains a valuable part of the team today.

The Green Apple awards aim to improve environmental performance, encourage the efficient use of resources and support the wider goals of sustainable development, including social benefits through community and staff involvement.

Craig Brady, Environmental Services Manager for ABM UK, said: “It’s wonderful to receive recognition again this year. What started as a focus on energy usage has grown into a culture of doing better both environmentally and socially. The excitement of creating change is palpable amongst the team, making Victoria Leeds a fantastic place to be. We’re extremely proud of the ABM and Victoria Leeds team for all they are doing, especially as the cost of living and environmental emergency gains pace globally.”  

Jo Coburn, Senior General Manager at Victoria Leeds, said: “Our commitment to the environment is unwavering – we are always seeking news ways to help protect our planet and the whole team is behind our efforts. We have made great strides forward in this area in recent years and I couldn’t be more proud of the front line team that implements our fantastic work and initiatives.”  

The Green Apple Awards are run by The Green Organisation – an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.