The Western Bay of Plenty District Council won a top environmental prize at last night's Green Ribbon Awards.
The awards recognise contributions to protecting and enhancing New Zealand's environment and are held by the Ministry for the Environment.
The council took the Green Ribbon award for Public Sector Leadership.
The award acknowledges how the council deals with biosolids from the Waihi Beach and Katikati wastewater treatment plants; instead of going into a landfill, the council uses biosolids as natural fertiliser and soil conditioner on stock paddocks.
Coromandel MP Scott Simpson said the Western Bay of Plenty District Council was a "thoroughly deserving winner".