A COMPANY playing its part in improving the environment is sponsoring a key category in the Examiner Business Awards.

Stores Direct, based at Pennine Business Park in Bradley, is sponsoring the Green Award, which recognises companies applying environmental policies in the workplace and whose products and services make a positive contribution to the environment.

The award – highlighting the very best examples of environmental action by local businesses – was won by the University of Huddersfield.

The university, which is one of the town’s biggest employers, has made “green” issues part of its core curriculum and provides a positive influence on others to drive environmental improvement.

It is among the top 10 greenest UK universities and has achieved a hat-trick of awards in the Universities Green League.

It works to ensure that “thinking and acting green” becomes part of campus life for students – with sustainability “embedded” in the curriculum and environmental issues integrated into relevant courses.

Internet retailer Stores Direct – www.storessdir ect.co.uk – is a winner itself.

The company won the category for SME of the Year in the 2010 Examiner Business Awards and has also been ranked in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 for its growth in sales over a three-year period.

Asked about the firm’s sponsorship of the Green Award, managing director David Duffy said: “Wood-fired heating is a core part of our business – continuing to grow despite adverse economic conditions.

“Many of our customers are seeking greener forms of heating, changing to a wood-burning stove as a carbon neutral alternative to fossil fuels.

“But the people buying a woodburner because they can’t afford spiralling gas or oil prices also reduce their carbon footprint.

“We are proud to belong to an industry which saves people money by developing efficient, clean-burning stoves.

“Our experience has taught us that consumer, commercial and environmental interests can converge and we want to encourage other businesses to explore this synergy.”

The Examiner Business Awards, sponsored by law firm Chadwick Lawrence, will be held on Thursday, November 3, at the Galpharm Stadium.

Awards will be presented in 12 categories – Business Person of the Year, New Business of the Year, SME of the Year, Business of the Year, Community Award, Green Award, International Business of the Year, Make It Huddersfield Award, Young Business Person of the Year, Employer of the Year, Innovation Award and Judges Choice Award.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration will host the popular event, which will also include a celebrity speaker.

To reserve seats at the gala dinner and awards presentation call 01484 437702.