Three Bay of Plenty businesses gained national recognition at the 2010 Sustainable Business Awards on Tuesday.

Powersmart Solar director and founder with Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby at the Bay of Plenty SBN Awards ceremony, the precursor to the business' success at the national awards.

Energy Options won the Not-for-Profit Award, Powersmart Solar won the National People's Choice Award and NappyDays received a judge's commendation after being nominated in the Emerging Small Business and Medium Small Business Award.

Powersmart Solar director Mike Basset-Smith says they were up against tough competition for the People's Choice Award.

'It was a bit of a surprise. We were up against some really illustrious companies.”

Mike believes the company's commitment to internal sustainable practices convinced voters they deserved the award.

NappyDays owner Kate Meads says receiving a judge's commendation was very exciting.

'We have been working heavily with councils and parents around the country educating them about how they can reduce waste to landfill.”

The Katikati based company has been operating for six years.

It produces bamboo cloth nappies that can easily be washed and are biodegradable.

Judges commended NappyDays as passionate advocates for cloth nappies working with parents on education, and with councils on waste.

Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network manager Jo Wills says it's fantastic to see these businesses recognised at a national level.

'The calibre of the finalists was extremely high and diversity of business and industry ensured the competition was tough – so seeing three BOP SBN members walk away with such praise from a national judging panel is truly inspiring.”