A RIBBLE Valley company has won its second annual award in a row for sustainability.

3M, which has a manufacturing site at Clitheroe, was given the award by Business in the Community (BITC).

The Big Tick award has been presented in the Marketplace Sustainability Leadership category. The award is the first level of accolade in the Responsible Business Awards.

It recognised how sustainability is a way of life for 3M and highlighted the success of its ongoing programmes to reduce energy use and waste.

Managing director Paul Keel said: “Winning a Big Tick award for the second year running is thanks to the continued efforts of everyone across the business. It’s very pleasing for us all that these efforts have been nationally recognised by the BITC.”

BITC chief executive Stephen Howard said: “All year round, responsible businesses across the UK are contributing towards more resilient communities, stimulating local economies, creating diverse, skilled and healthy workforces and addressing skills shortages — yet these activities rarely get attention.

The Responsible Business Awards shine a much-needed spotlight on the powerful impact of business. I congratulate 3M for its Big Tick reaccreditation, which is a powerful symbol of business doing more to bring about change.”

The technology company also runs a 3M 4Good programme in which all employees are encouraged to carry out a day’s work each year on environmental and other projects in the community on company time.

Its Clitheroe plant manufactures valves and components for asthma inhalers.