THEY are usually driving Glasgow's economy but today these three city businesses were picking up awards for their green credentials.

And their success in using solar panels, digging bore holes, sourcing local produce and keeping the streets clean has been recognised in the Environmental Business Awards.

This year, gold awards went to West End restaurant Stravaigin, upmarket hotel Blythswood Square and four branches of burger chain McDonald's.

Firms of all sizes can enter the awards but national and international businesses are assessed only on what they have achieved at a local level.

As well as the gold awards, silver went to the Marriott Hotel in Argyle Street, Hotel Indigo in Waterloo Street, Jack and Jill Nursery in Saracen Street and the Two Fat Ladies restaurants in Argyle Street and Blythswood Street.

The Argyll Hotel in Sauchiehall Street, seafood supplier Angelbond, in Port Dundas, and Glasgow Green Apartments in both the East End and West End picked up bronze awards,

Jim Coleman, the city council's sustainability and transport spokesman, said: "Building a greener Glasgow is in everyone's interests.

"Enhancing our sustainable credentials will attract people to the city and new opportunities for business.

"We want to help them think about their place in the community and their impact on the environment and we want to reward those that make Glasgow a better place.

"Winners are all delivering real, tangible improvements, from hi-tech infrastructure to very personal community projects."

Gibson Street restaurant Stravaigin carried out a major refurbishment in 2010 and according to operations manager Fiona Ashford had the environment very much in mind.

She said: "We have used LED lights, old soda bottles as light features and have sensor taps in the toilets which don't waste water.

"Our food waste is separated and 80% is recycled, the front of the new bar is made from old close doors and the parquet flooring was taken from elsewhere and re-used.

"Our chefs go out foraging for things like wild garlic and we try to use local suppliers as much as possible."

The multi-million pound Blythswood Square Hotel was created from the former home of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club.

Managing director Hans Rissmann, said: "Behind the historical facade of Glasgow's Blythswood Square is a renewable energy supply and environmental appliances that reduce the hotel's energy consumption."

The green technology includes rooftop solar panels and nine 100 metre deep bore holes serving two high capacity heat pumps which transport power round the hotel in a loop resulting in little wasted energy.

All of the building's old sash windows have been replaced with highly efficient double glazing.

Energy efficient lighting has been employed, the roof has been designed with a ventilation heat recovery system and external walls have been built extra thick to provide better insulation.

Mr Rissmann added: "Over all, our carbon omissions have been reduced by 43% of what we would have had, had we not carried out all of our initiatives."

The award to McDonald's was given for the work done by staff in its branches at Trongate, Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street and Pollokshaws.

Business manager Arlene Marsella said: "We have eight Planet Champions in the four outlets, who are responsible for looking at ways of saving energy and reducing waste.

"We also have a Litter Champion, who is responsible for organising clean ups. We recently went to the Barras and cleared 50 bags of rubbish and two van-loads of fly tipped waste.

"Waste food is being recycled and waste oil is now turned into bio diesel which our trucks run on."

Details on how to apply for an award are available at www.glasgow.gov.uk/eba or by emailing eba@glasgow.gov.uk

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk