The Norwich and Norfolk Eco Awards is accepting entries for its 10th anniversary ceremony.

The scheme, collaboratively organised by Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council, annually celebrates outstanding environmental achievements.

Originally, the awards were only open to organisations, however, the categories have since broadened and prizes are now given for outstanding eco-food producer and eco-home.

Applicants in all categories must be able to demonstrate a passion for environmentally friendly practice and energy efficiency.

Councillor Martin Wilby, chairman of the environment, development and transport committee at Norfolk County Council, said: 'The Eco Awards are a fantastic initiative, celebrating the achievements of Norfolk individuals and businesses towards building for a brighter future.

'We appreciate the diversity of those getting involved in this crucial area, particularly the younger generation who are showing early interest in environmental issues.'

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the scheme, the winner of this year's eco hero category will be determined by an online public vote.

The deadline for all entries is December 1, so there is still plenty of time to apply for an award or nominate an eco hero, and online voting will begin in January.

Councillor Kevin Maguire, cabinet member for environmental strategy at Norwich City Council, said: 'I'm delighted to be championing the Eco Awards. 'It's such a positive scheme and I really encourage those with a proven passion for the environment to apply, as well as get involved in voting for our overall eco hero in the public vote.'

Eco award winners will be presented with a trophy and a certificate at the 10th annual ceremony and will receive eco award branding materials that may be used for marketing purposes.

You can enter the competition for free via the following link: www.eco-awards.co.uk

Previous Eco award winners

Liftshare scooped a double at last year's awards ceremony for their efforts in tackling congestion and pollution.

The company now provides the largest car sharing platform in the country, encouraging travellers and commuters to interact as a community and prevent unnecessary individual journeys.

The service aims to optimise fuel useage whilst also strengthening social ties and helping users save on travel costs.

The company was founded in Norwich in the 90s and is still based here today.

Ali Clabburn, Norwich resident, founder and managing director of Liftshare, enjoyed his winning evening.

He said: 'It was amazing to be a winner. The ceremony was fantastic and it was so great to see other businesses doing wonderful things locally. I also managed to get a new recruit out of the process – I hired one of the people who was there that evening.'

Woodfruits, Norfolk-based growers of shiitake mushrooms, won last year's Eco food producer award.

The business was commended for its top-down dedication to sustainability.

The entire food production process operates off-grid, with all the energy, heat and water needed to grow the mushrooms provided onsite.

Every building or structure used by the business is manufactured from recycled or upcycled materials and no permanent foundations are in place, minimising environmental impact. Moreover, Woodfruits have planted over 3,000 native hardwood trees in the area. A spokesperson for Woodfruits said: 'Ultimately it's just really lovely to have the recognition from the outside world for what to us is just common sense. We've put our Eco awards banner on our farmer market's stall. We're really proud of it.

'Plans for the future include solar panels and a reedbed system to deal with sewage waste.'