Environmental Champion Winner 2010
Environmental Champion – Tina Pearce, Less Mess Limited nominated by William Murtha
William Murtha, came across North Devon mum of three and business woman Tina Pearce whilst working on a green thinking initiative - Global Visionaries Project- with the aim of publishing the book: 100 Words - 200 Visionaries Share Their Hope for the Future. Part of this creative project involved meeting, talking with and interviewing over 200 global luminaries; visionaries and change-makers from the worldwide ecology, sustainability and environmental movement.
In 2004, Tina founded her environmental awareness and product supply company, Less Mess. Her core intention was to work with water companies in stopping Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) from being poured down sinks and WC's across Devon, which were not only choking up domestic drain pipes. It was also leading to major blockages further down the line in sewage pipes, which as many people know, can often lead to flora and fauna being contaminated by polluted overspills and flooding.
After experiencing similar drain blockage problems herself, (after pouring unwanted cooking fats down the sink) the young mum from Braunton set about designing and then manufacturing innovative and easily affordable solutions to solve those problems. It wasn't long before many of the UK's major water utility companies (including South West Water) noticed Tina's efforts and some even backed her by offering Tina assistance costs with setting up her new venture.
Her first product, 'Fat Trap', very quickly became an excellent promotional awareness tool that water companies quickly found was effective in helping to raise awareness about FOG to householders. And since then, her company has gone from strength to strength where they now supply national chains and social/housing associations, as well as continuing to supply her major water company clients.
Tina, very early on, identified the environmental consequences and negative impacts of this serious problem, and she could clearly see that if these problems were not radically reduced, then localized flooding, flora despoiling and polluted rivers would only increase. So, with her passion, enthusiasm and dedication to the cause, Tina set about helping to raise awareness about these often unseen and unappreciated problems.
With the help and continued guidance of water companies- especially South West Water- Tina and Less Mess Limited went on to write a well researched FOG report, a simple and easy to understand guide, which many utility and housing companies are sharing with their residents. And with continued product development in this sector, Tina is working on other green minded products which are helping residents to better understand the dire consequences of using sinks, drains and WC's as unseen litter disposal outlets.
Tina has won the prestigious Green Award for outstanding excellence in the nationwide environmental sector, and although she is mother of three young children, she still manages to commit full time to what she believes in- helping the local environment. Recently, and at the request of her major clients and customers, Tina's company has now produced water saving devices for them, including shower timers, 'save our sewer' eco-packs and water gauged trigger hoses. All of which are being extensively rolled to residents across the local region and beyond.
Congratualations Tina, on being the 2010 DEBI Environmental Champion.