Awards for Excellence shines light on recycling

A highlight of the waste and recycling calendar, the sectors leading awards event recognises achievement in the waste and recycling sector across 11 categories.

Expanding on the success of the 2013 awards, this year councils can apply for a number of categories including the Collection Crew of the Year, an award sponsored by Geesinknorba that celebrates crews which provide a high level of service.There is also the coveted Local Authority Recycling Champion award, sponsored by Biffa. The accolade is given to the council officer or councillor from a local authority which has achieved a high level of success driving up household waste recycling rates.

Other categories of interest to local authorities include the Civic Amenity Site of the Year award, which is sponsored by Repic and the Design of a Waste Management Facility.

Last year, Philip OKeefe, waste development officer at the London Borough of Lambeth, was crowned local authority recycling champion for masterminding a waste prevention strategy that achieved higher than expected results.

Mr OKeefe, who collected his prize from BBC Breakfast News presenter Susanna Reid host of the 2013 awards was commended for his work promoting the development of local collection points for unwanted items including WEEE and textiles.

‘Important’

Today, looking back at the event, Mr OKeefe recalled his surprise at winning the accolade, and hopes this this years awards will shine a light on the important work being undertaken by local authorities to boost recycling rates.

He said: It was great to win recycling champion of the year, especially as it is awarded by industry peers but it also shone a light on an inner city local authority and Lambeth’s sustainable waste management practises and achievements for its hard working staff.

The activities were all part of a waste prevention plan and the wider waste strategy, namely Home and community composting – The Compost Doctor, Real Nappies for Lambeth campaign and increasing Local Recycling for all residents by introducing recycling points for new materials.

I think the Awards are a perfect opportunity for raising awareness of good waste and recycling practice, particularly projects which show community involvement through reuse and engaging areas of the community that need training or employment support.

And, commenting on what initiatives he would like to see recognised this year, Mr OKeefe added: There were two particularly in 2013 from the Best Community Recycling Initiative category, that I was interested in learning more about: Bikeworks Community Initiative and Total Reuse CIC.

Hopefully they are still going strong and there will be more new entries this year for the category.

Details

For the full list of criteria and entry guidelines or to book your place at the awards, please visit www.awardsforexcellence.co.uk or contact Chloe Whittaker at Environment Media Group by emailing chloe.w@letsrecycle.com or calling 020 7633 4522.