Filenews 26 January 2024
A successful business can coexist with sustainability, Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou said on Friday in her address at the official award ceremony of the 2023 Zero Waste HoReCa Champions Awards.
He also said that the global environmental crisis requires environmental awareness, consolidation of good habits, implementation of innovative practices, cooperation and commitment from all.
According to an announcement broadcast by the PIO, this competition for the sustainable operation of the tourism industry in Cyprus was organized by the AKTI Research Centre with the support of the Coca-Cola Foundation under the auspices of the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment.
In her address, Mrs. Theodosiou said that at a time when the challenges of climate change are becoming increasingly critical and its effects affect the environment, the economy, human health, society, the importance of initiatives such as the "Zero Waste HoReCa Champions Awards" cannot fail to be recognized.
She underlined that the tourism sector and hospitality and catering businesses play a leading role in the economy, society and business world of Cyprus through the food services they offer, the possibility of recreation and social interaction.
However, she continued, their action also has serious consequences for the environment and the well-being of citizens.
Ms. Theodosiou said that the distinguished companies in the competition are rewarded for the road they have already travelled towards zero waste and for other actions to minimize their environmental footprint, through the reduction of waste production, energy and water saving and the change of supply terms for a green supply chain.
She noted that these actions prove, at the same time, that a successful business and sustainability can coexist and grow.
Mrs. Theodosiou congratulated the companies that excelled, as well as the contributors of the competition and the award, of the AKTI Center for Studies and Research, in collaboration with the Coca-Cola Foundation.
"The Office of the Commissioner for the Environment and I personally will be a helper and companion in every initiative and action aimed at small or big changes for the protection of the environment that will benefit all of us, society and our planet", the Commissioner concluded.
According to a press release from the AKTI Research and Research Center, 20 small tourism businesses were awarded for their proposals on how to introduce best practices or infrastructure in their operation.
It is noted that each awarded company was subsidized with the amount of €500, which will be used for the implementation of their innovative proposals.
It is added that the 20 winners managed to stand out among the 216 members of the Zero Waste HoReCa Network.
The aim of Zero Waste HoReCa is to bring the tourism industry of Cyprus one step closer to the green transition, with the results being impressive already in the first year of implementation of the program. Environmental impact, sustainability, innovation and social responsibility are the main criteria that highlighted the awarded companies.
It is noted that the President of the Board of Directors of AKTI Centre for Studies and Research, Dr Xenia Loizidou, stated that "AKTI is very proud of today's award to 20 small businesses in the tourism sector of Cyprus and their proposals towards the green transition. The actions of these businesses give us hope for the consolidation of the need for the Cyprus tourism industry to move towards sustainability", he said, and pointed out that sustainability is not a theory but a result of applied practices and actions.
The 20 awarded companies are the following:
Mairko, Nicosia. Award Category: Water Management
Omni Eats, Nicosia. Award categories: Waste Management, Public Green Procurement/ Supply Chain
Grape by the Sea, Kato Pyrgos, Nicosia. Award category: Water Management.
Klimataria-Beach Bar Resto, Kato Pyrgos, Nicosia. Award categories: Water Management / Green Public Procurement / Supply Chain.
Two flowers, Pedoulas, Nicosia. Award categories: Energy Saving/ Waste Management/ Green Public Procurement.
O Potamos, Kampi, Nicosia. Award category: Energy Saving.
The Royal Goat Farm, Paliometocho, Nicosia. Award category: Water Management.
Charalambos Holiday Cottage, Kalavasos, Larnaca. Award category: Waste Management.
Almond trees, Vavla, Nicosia. Award category: Energy Saving.
Traditional Flavors Workshop (Giorgoulas), Koili, Paphos Award categories: Energy Saving/ Waste Management/Green Public Procurement.
Courtyard of Nefeli, Paphos. Award categories: Water Management / Waste Management.
Mylari Bistro Tavern, Kritou Tera, Paphos. Award categories: Water Management / Waste Management.
The Tremythas of Simou, Simou, Paphos. Award categories: Waste Management.
Spring Of Life Forever, Amargeti, Paphos. Award category: Energy Saving.
Campo de' Fiori, Paphos. Award categories: Energy Saving/ Waste Management.
Taverna Mastros Dora, Limassol. Award categories: Waste Management / Energy Saving.
CyHerbia, Avgorou, Famagusta. Award category: Energy Saving.
Old Simos Tavern, Sotira, Famagusta. Award category: Waste Management.
Taverna Proavlio, Parekklisia, Limassol. Award category: Water Management.
Elysian Plant Based Kitchen Bar, Nicosia. Award categories: Waste Management / Green Public Procurement / Supply Chain.
