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This year’s best environmental deeds, small deeds, and companies were announced
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The Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus-Rosimannus handed over prizes and letters of appreciation to the best people and companies in the field of environment. The best environmental deeds and small deeds are related to educating children and young people and outstanding companies offer saving and innovative solutions.
The title of the Environmental
Deed of the Year and monetary award of 1,000 euros was given to MTÜ
Eesti Ornitoloogiaühing (the Estonian Ornithological Society) for carrying
out a project called “Linnuõpe loodusainete
õpetajatele” (“Ornithological
studies for natural science teachers”). The project of ornithological studies distinguished very
clearly from the others: it is large-scale and has a wide-ranging positive
impact on our environment. The knowledge gained from the project supports teachers
in providing natural science education for pupils and thousands of children
learn more about birds as a result. The project can be extended to other
providers of natural science education, such as kindergarten teachers and
nature centre supervisors. Ornithological studies were carried out in 27 places
all over Estonia with a total of 389 participating teachers. Additionally, a
collection of learning material was compiled of drawings, photos, audio files,
and descriptions in order to explore 45 bird species.
Recognition:
- Prangli Islands Museum of
Natural History received a monetary award of 200 euros.
- MTÜ Reuse received
a monetary award of 200 euros.
A total of 9 candidates were submitted for the
title of the Environmental Deed of the Year 2012.
The title of the Small Environmental
Deed and a monetary award of 1,000 were given to JCI GO Chamber for an
open-air performance “Naksitrallide Metsakool”, which clearly stood out
from others. Based on a renowned book “Naksitrallid”,
the play was staged by the Estonian Puppet and Youth Theatre. This is a perfect
example of combining new and old on multiple levels: familiar characters from
“Naksitrallid” talk about important issues in the environmental field and all
dolls and decorations are made only from waste or recycled materials. The play
was performed 67 times all over Estonia and a total of 32,000 spectators came to
see it. Additionally, children received an instructive card game about recycling:
“Superjänese prügimäng”.
Recognition:
- The
project “Väikeste veeuurijate õppeaasta lasteaias
MARI” (“The year of little water researchers at kindergarten MARI”) of
Põltsamaa kindergarten Mari received a monetary award of 200 euros.
- Eve Schmeiman’s project
“Ilmavaatlusvõimaluste loomine
Väimela lasteaeda Rukkilill”
(“Creating opportunities for weather observation in Väimela
kindergarten “Rukkilill”) received a monetary award of 200 euros.
- Kohtla-Järve kindergarten
Punamütsike received a monetary award of 200 euros for
environmental education.
- Pupils of Kadriorg German
Gymnasium Carolin Krain, Cetlyn Sari, Mariann Adelbert, and Simona Šois received
a monetary award of 200 euros (together) for their project “Keskkonnapäev Kadriorus” (“Environment
Day in Kadriorg”).
- Saue Gymnasium received
a monetary award of 200 euros for an environmental project “Läänemereäärsete riikide jätkusuutlik
areng ja loodus- ja tööstuskeskkonna võrdlus” (“Sustainable
development of the Baltic Sea countries and the comparison of natural and
industrial environment”).
A total of 21 candidates were submitted for the
title of the Small Environmental Deed of the Year 2012.
The title of Nature Friendly Company
of the Year was given in two categories. The
winner of the green product or service category turned was Rexest Grupp OÜ, who will be also nominated as a candidate for European
Business Awards for the Environment. The main objective of Rexest Group is to
reduce waste generation in Estonia and put emerging plastic waste into
circulation. The company uses plastic waste, especially plastic packages in
households, for producing innovative and recyclable building materials bearing
a name Plastrex.
Recognition:
- Nordic Bioproducts OÜ product
line BioMINERATA
- Sense OÜ for
passive house construction
- Uuskasutus MTÜ
The winner of the green process category was Aravete Biogaas OÜ, which is a good example for other large
agriculture companies. Aravete biogas plant mainly produces biogas from bovine
solid and liquid manure, which is used for producing electricity and heat.
Electricity is channelled into a distribution network and since this year’s
September, Aravete small town residents obtain heat from this biogas plant.
Tallinna Vesi AS was recognised for integrating a biofilter into
wastewater treatment plant, which resulted in a significant reduction of
nitrate in the wastewater.
DPD Eesti AS, which stood as a candidate in the field of environmental
management, received praise from the jury; however, due to its newly introduced
environmental management system, it is invited to participate again next year
to evaluate the results of the system.
A total of 7 companies were submitted for the title of the Nature Friendly Company
of the Year 2012.
The Ministry of the Environment organises the competition of the Environmental
Deed of the Year since 2001. The aim of this competition is to recognise the
best people and companies of the previous 12 months and encourage individuals
and organisations, institutions, and companies to follow the deeds that have
been acknowledged in the fields of environment protection, environmental
information, and environmental awareness. All who wanted to recognise
individuals, institutions, companies, and organisations for their contribution
to environment could submit candidates.
