The German Mineral Resources Association (MIRO) has announced the sixth sustainability competition for companies in the aggregates industry. Applications can be submitted until October 15, 2018. Plastic waste flooding the oceans, exhaust fumes enveloping cities in smog: current discussions that give an alarming picture of the human impact on the environment and nature have been […]
The German Mineral Resources Association (MIRO) has announced the sixth sustainability competition for companies in the aggregates industry. Applications can be submitted until October 15, 2018.
Plastic waste that floods the oceans, exhaust fumes that cover cities in smog: current discussions that give an alarming picture of the human impact on the environment and nature have dominated for decades and hardly seem to be abating. It is not only in view of these distressing images that the topic of sustainability has moved onto the agenda of many companies. The raw materials and aggregates industry is also committed to sustainability and biodiversity. In principle, the focus here is on the careful use of mineral resources, which must be balanced with entrepreneurial and economic activity. On the one hand, environmentally friendly practices and technology bring ecological added value; on the other hand, the credo of sustainability also applies in social terms: when it comes to occupational health and safety guidelines and employee health protection.
This makes it all the more important to send out signals that encourage and promote a commitment to greater sustainability in the industry. Competitions are one way of drawing attention to companies that operate sustainably and recognizing those that have been able to establish successful concepts. The Bundesverband Mineralische Rohstoffe e. V. (MIRO) is one such institution that initiates this type of promotion. For the sixth time, the association has now launched a competition for the national sustainability award for companies in the aggregates industry. The competition launched by MIRO is a national precursor to the “Sustainability Awards 2019”, another sustainability competition that recognizes business concepts and technologies across Europe. The national award winners are automatically shortlisted. The same applies to the special award winners in the additional categories of biodiversity and communication. The awards are organized by the European Aggregates Association UEPG.
Social responsibility, economy and ecology in harmony
The criteria of the national “MIRO Sustainability Competition 2019” are based on the triad of social responsibility, economy and ecology. Applicants are called upon to present their projects and concepts in an understandable way and to state all the key facts. This includes a description of the initial situation, any “milestones” in the development, special challenges, innovative solutions, cooperation with authorities, private individuals or associations. The application should not exceed ten pages. Five to six digital photos, the company logo and a one-page summary complete the application. Documents from authorities, municipalities and associations can also be submitted if they are related to the project.
The jury for the German competition is made up of partners from the MIRO Federal Association for Environmental and Nature Conservation, specialist media, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the Industrial Union for Construction, Agriculture and the Environment (IG Bau). From this year onwards, the competition will be better recognizable with a newly developed logo, which prize winners and participants will be allowed to use as a seal of quality in their corporate communications once the campaign is over.
The application deadline is October 15, 2018 and the award ceremony will take place at the beginning of 2019. Further information on the application process and the necessary forms can be found here.
