OUR AWARDS

Less Mess made a very admirable and tenacious effort to raise awareness with the Fat Trap, a simple idea but one that has been effective in highlighting a major problem from grassroots upwards. ‘We were delighted to receive this prestigious award as recognition for all the hard work that we have done over the last few years in this important sector’ said Tina Pearce owner of Less Mess Ltd, ‘It’s all the more gratifying when you are in the presence of so many large and internationally recognised businesses.’ The awards ceremony took place at a sparkling black tie dinner at the ICC in Birmingham

North Devon based company owner, Tina Pearce of Less Mess Limited, scooped the prestigious overall ‘Environmental Champion’ award at a packed gala night held at The Met Office in Exeter, in November 2010.The award’s organisers, DEBI (Devon Environmental Business Awards), have been running the competition for almost 20 years and are supported by amongst others, South West Water, The Environment Agency and Devon County Council. Set up to celebrate best practice and green ethics in the business sector, DEBI every year nominate Devon based companies and people who are either implementing green policies or supplying environmental products. Receiving the ‘Environmental Champion Award’ for her outstanding contribution to the green business environment in Devon, Tina thanked both the DEBI board and South West Water for their continued help in supporting her urgent cause.“Many people have no idea of the massive environmental impacts of pouring unwanted cooking fats and oils down kitchen sinks and drains. Which is why this award only helps to further heighten awareness across Devon.”

The Award was presented at the Tower of London in November at a glittering prize giving ceremony. Tina received her award from Professor David Bellamy, Britain’s leading environmental personality.The event was also supported by Tree Appeal, who have pledged to plant trees in the names of all the winners to make the function carbon free.Commenting on the winning entry, the Green Apple Award judges said: “A blocked sink led to the creation of the Fat Trap ® by Less Mess, a half litre container that sits by the sink of many homes across the UK. Saving sink blockages, sewer blockages, and the resulting river pollution, it also can recycle the fat into bird food. The idea is now moving into Europe, possibly Canada and New Zealand too”Tina’s company Less Mess has pioneered the safe and practical disposal of household grease and fat, using her patented ‘Fat Trap ®. The Fat Trap ® has proved to be a huge hit with our water companies, who have used them extensively as PR tools to help raise awareness of how to dispose of cooking fat and grease in a responsible way. The company is now developing the second generation Fat Trap ®, which will be even more environmentally friendly.The organisers of the Green Apple Awards are the Green Organisation, which is an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world. It is funded by membership and sponsorship, with valuable support from the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management,
As a Green Apple winner Tina has become a ‘Green Hero’. Green Heroes are a select band of environmentalists who are willing to go the extra mile to help thousands of others to follow their ecological lead. Tina’s award winning paper will be published in the Green book, this is a unique international work of reference CD and is an invaluable guide to environmental best practice and is distributed free of charge to environmental professionals around the world.
Tina will be invited to another prestigious awards ceremony at Kensington roof gardens where Green Hero shield and certificate will be presented.