In a celebration of environmental stewardship that sets new benchmarks for sustainability in the business community, the City of Surrey has recognized outstanding local organizations at its annual Environmental Business Awards. The ceremony, which took place at Surrey City Hall last week, highlighted remarkable achievements in waste reduction, community impact, and innovative green practices that are transforming the city’s ecological footprint.
Surrey Libraries emerged as a standout recipient, earning the Community Impact Award for its innovative approach to sustainability education. The library system has implemented a series of environmental initiatives, including a Seed Library program that allows residents to “borrow” seeds for home gardening, ultimately strengthening food security and biodiversity across neighborhoods.
“Libraries have always been about resource sharing at their core,” explained Sarah Thompson, Chief Librarian at Surrey Libraries. “Our environmental programs are a natural extension of our mission to serve as community hubs where sustainability becomes accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or economic situation.”
Meanwhile, The Food Factory Rescue Society claimed the prestigious Waste Reduction Award for its remarkable efforts in diverting thousands of kilograms of edible food from landfills. The organization has created a systematic approach to collecting surplus food from retailers and redistributing it to vulnerable populations throughout Surrey.
“Last year alone, we rescued over 275,000 kilograms of perfectly good food that would have otherwise been wasted,” said Michael Chen, Executive Director of the society. “That translates to approximately 550,000 meals provided to people experiencing food insecurity while significantly reducing methane emissions from decomposing food waste.”
The Circular Economy Award went to Talize Thrift Store, which has revolutionized how Surrey residents think about clothing consumption. The store has implemented an innovative textile recycling program that ensures even damaged items find new purpose rather than ending up in landfills.
These awards reflect Surrey’s broader environmental strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 while fostering a resilient local economy. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke emphasized that business sustainability is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage in today’s market.
“What we’re seeing with these award winners is that environmental responsibility and business success are not opposing forces,” Locke noted during the ceremony. “In fact, these organizations demonstrate that ecological innovation often leads to economic benefits and stronger community connections.”
The awards program, now in its fifth year, has seen a 40% increase in nominations compared to its inaugural event, indicating growing awareness and commitment to environmental practices across Surrey’s business community.
Environmental scientist Dr. Alisha Patel from Simon Fraser University, who served on the judging panel, pointed to the ripple effects of the honored initiatives: “What’s particularly impressive about this year’s winners is their commitment to systemic change. They’re not just implementing one-off programs but fundamentally reimagining how their organizations operate within ecological boundaries.”
As climate concerns intensify across Canada and beyond, these local examples of environmental leadership raise an important question: Could the sustainable business models pioneered by these Surrey organizations serve as blueprints for a new generation of enterprises that thrive economically while regenerating rather than depleting our natural systems?
