The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Waterford has announced the winners of this year’s Glas Awards, recognising two exceptional local businesses leading the way in sustainability — Blossom & Berry and The Hat Maker.

Now in its third year, the Glas Awards, run in association with Waterford City and County Council, celebrate micro and small enterprises that have successfully integrated green practices into their business models. This year’s winners exemplify what it means to combine innovation, environmental awareness, and local enterprise.

The Green Micro Enterprise of the Year, awarded to businesses with ten or fewer employees, went to Blossom & Berry, a sustainable florist based in Lismore. Judges were impressed by the company’s “commitment to mitigating climate change by integrating green principles in every aspect of its operations.” Owner Claudia O’Neill has embedded sustainability into every petal of her business, from energy conservation and solar power to water-saving measures. “The sustainability initiatives we’ve implemented have created profoundly positive impacts on both our business operations and brand identity,” she said.

In the category for larger enterprises, the Green SME of the Year — open to businesses with between 11 and 50 employees — was awarded to The Hat Maker, a boutique hotel in Dungarvan. The project involved the careful refurbishment of a protected structure, achieving an impressive A2 energy rating and ensuring the sustainable reuse of a historic building in the heart of the town. Owner David Burke and his team have placed sustainability at the core of the hotel’s philosophy. “As well as being the right thing to do, it reduces costs significantly when fully committed to and done properly,” Burke explained. “It also acts as a marketing tool for our business as it is important to the consumer segment we target.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Waterford City and County Mayor, Councillor Seamus Ryan, praised both winners for their leadership in sustainable enterprise. “These awards are another opportunity to reward businesses for their climate actions,” he said. “Today we recognise two leaders in the field in our county. I’d like to congratulate both businesses in what is a thoroughly deserved accolade. The Glas awards and the actions of the winners mark another step towards Waterford’s green targets. The link between the Council and business in Waterford has never been more important.”

Each winner received a €2,500 cash prize and a Glas trophy, designed by Brendan O’Donnell, made entirely from reclaimed and recycled materials. The trophies combine solid oak from cabinet drawers with recycled plastics sourced from milk bottles, café drink lids, and hygiene product drums from a dairy farm, reflecting the spirit of innovation and sustainability that defines the awards.

According to Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise at LEO Waterford, the quality of entries this year shows that sustainability is fast becoming a cornerstone of local business strategy. “The LEO wants to show other businesses that investment in this area is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing too,” Evans said. “Every entry to these awards will tell you that they have reaped the benefits of their investment.”

Evans also highlighted the supports available for local businesses keen to follow the same path. The Green for Business Programme provides consultancy support to help companies identify practical sustainability steps, while the Energy Efficiency Grant offers funding of up to 75% of eligible costs — capped at €10,000 — for energy upgrades.

For more information on the Glas Awards and other Local Enterprise Office supports, visit www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford, call 051 849905, or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie.

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