Businesses that participate in the Recycle Bermuda Partnership where recognised yesterday for exceeding the requirements of recycling awareness.

Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess presented eight businesses with certificates in acknowledgement of their efforts.

The Recycle Bermuda Partnership was launched last year as part of a campaign to build awareness on the value of recycling.

Its aim was that the corporate sector and local businesses would increase recycling awareness and participate fully both at the workplace and at home.

The founding partners included the ACE Group, Bank of Bermuda HSBC, Butterfield Bank, Fairmont Hamilton and Fairmont Southampton Princess, Cambridge Beaches, Marsh Global Placement (Bermuda) Limited and Dolphin Quest Bermuda.

These businesses agreed to meet recycling goals which included introducing recycle receptacles within the workplace, ensuring that recyclables are collected and delivered here to the Recycling Centre, promotion of the three R's (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and circulating recycling literature throughout the company on a regular basis.

Minister Burgess said: "The fruits of this partnership have extended well beyond the minimum requirements we set out.

"I am delighted to note that our partners have exceeded these requirements by introducing a diverse and extensive range of environmentally friendly initiatives, such as the installations CFL bulbs, introducing special bins for recyclables, the removal of plastic water bottles, introducing the first Audubon certified golf course in Bermuda, providing employees with tips on how to be environmentally friendly, participating in TAG recycling and conservation of water and many others.

"Clearly, these initiatives, among others, reflect that our partners in the business community have demonstrated good corporate citizenship. They also demonstrate that our partners understand the benefits of recycling, including reducing waste, saving our natural resources and reducing greenhouse gasses."

He added: "I cannot emphasise too greatly the fact that everyone in the community — residents and organisations alike — has responsibility to preserve the environment for future generations. I therefore call upon the business community to embrace our 'What Goes Where Campaign' to ensure the proper disposal of waste items, a campaign that you will be hearing more about in the coming months."