The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) announced the winners of its inaugural Sustainability Awards and in an impassioned speech its president implored members to “leave a legacy” for future generations.

BMA president John Robinson

Over 90 guests attended the Sustainability Awards which were held at the Conrad St James hotel in Central London.

Chief executive of the BMA Tom Reynolds commented: “We launched these inaugural sustainability awards with some trepidation.

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“We were relieved when manufacturers started to make entries, were excited when we saw the quality of submissions, and elated when we received the incredibly positive independent judges’ feedback.”

Trophies and highly commended accolades were presented to bathroom manufacturers across five categories.

The winners were as follows:

• Circular Economy – Roman
• Carbon Reduction – Kohler Mira
• Workplace Initiative – Triton
• Water Efficiency – Aguardio
• Sustainability Champion – Lee Jones (NBS)

In addition, highly commended was presented to Triton in Carbon Reduction category and Fluidmaster in the Water Efficiency category

Hosted by sustainability stalwart Tim Pollard, he said the sustainable movement would be “as disruptive as the industrial revolution but at the pace of the digital revolution and will be a necessity of doing business”.

He stated it is now time to make people understand that bathrooms have an impact on the environment and manufacturers had a role to play in helping modify consumer behaviour: “We all know water efficiency in Government policy is coming down the line and we all know net zero is ramping up, but when it comes to behaviour change, brands can also be powerful.

“We can step into this role with more conviction and use our presence to influence how society adopts change.”

His views were echoed by BMA president John Robinson who made an impassioned and personal speech about protecting future generations: “I want this world to be sustainable and I want the environment to be better because I have five grandchildren and I’m going to have six in February.”

He spoke about talking a walk with his nine-year old grandson Jack down a local country lane which was festooned with rubbish.

“There was a three-piece suite. There was an old lawnmower. There were papers, bottles, plastic. He said, ‘who has left all that there?’ and I said ‘We did. We are all individually responsible for the environment and sustainability.”

He exclaimed: “After COVID, the one thing that matters today is the environment. Do not let people down bathroom manufacturers. You are the leading lights in the construction industry.

“Lead your companies well. Do the right thing.

“Don’t just do it because it’s the buzzword and it’s what the Government wants.

“Do it for your children, your grandchildren and hopefully your grandchildren’s children.

“Leave a legacy. Be the leaders.”