BURNASTON car manufacturer Toyota is celebrating after winning a hat-trick of awards for the environmental performance of its factory.

The company, which produces Auris and Avensis models at its Derbyshire plant, was recognised for its work in reducing its environmental impact at Business in the Community's East Midlands 2009 Awards for Excellence ceremony, in Nottingham last night.

The awards recognise the positive impact businesses make on society.

Toyota, which employs 3,900 people at Burnaston, won a Big Tick Climate Change Award for taking action to lower the factory's carbon emissions.

This included reducing the amount of energy used in its paint shop, which has led to a 40% cut in its carbon emissions. Toyota also received a re-accreditation of the Big Tick it was awarded last year for Environmental Leadership.

The third honour collected on the evening was the East Midlands Carbon Positive – Cutting Edge award.

Toyota received the award for the commitment to carbon reduction and also engaging employees in environmental awareness activities.

The awards are a welcome boost for staff at Burnaston, who are working a four-and-a-half-day week because of the downturn in new car sales.

Katsunori Kojima, managing director of Toyota Manufacturing UK, said: "We are committed to working in harmony with the environment and these latest awards are recognition of our employees' efforts in this crucial area. We will continue to focus our efforts to further improve our environmental performance and share our achievements."

Also among the award winners was East Midlands Airport at Castle Donington.

It also won a Big Tick Climate Change Award. The airport was recognised for its efforts to become carbon neutral by 2012.

It has introduced such measures as vehicles running on chip fat, toilets that flush using rain water and is looking to install wind turbines to generate electricity to power its terminal buildings.

A company based at the airport, DHL Aviation, was also recognised for its contribution to the community.

The firm, which has its main freight-forwarding hub at the airport employing around 800 people, won the Skills for Life Award.

DHL has been proactive in tapping into government support to improve the basic skills of workers and supported campaigns urging other employers to invest in training.

David Cooke, regional director of Business in the Community, said: "It is heartening to know that so many businesses in the East Midlands remain committed to their social, ethical and environmental business goals.

"Being a responsible business is a commitment to demonstrating leadership on social issues.

"Now, more than ever, at a time of reduced income and spending power, businesses need to demonstrate that to be a leading company is to be a responsible one."