The awards were presented by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, holder of over 10 expeditionary world records and awarded the OBE for human endeavour and charitable services. Sir Ranulph described his expeditions around the world and praised the winners for their contribution to recycling and sustainability.
Earlier, Valpak chairman John Gummer said that Valpak, “has had a successful year. We met the demand in the packaging sector and we are working on WEEE and what has to be done.” He pointed to Valpak, which was created originally to handle compliance under the packaging waste regulations, as an expanding organisation which is now looking to new sectors such as farm films and batteries. 
Mr Gummer added: ” We will be delivering producer responsibility on all those things about which we should be concerned.”
Five categories of awards were presented for: Best Investment of PRN Funds; Best Partnership; the recycle-more award for Most Innovative Local Authority; Best Educational Project and for this year, to recognise 10 years of the regulations, a Lifetime Achievement award. Sponsors were Corus UK Limited, Wincanton, Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd, British Polythene Industries Plc, recycle-more and Hammonds.
Steve Gough, Valpak Chief Executive, said, “We hope our awards give recognition to the range of stakeholders involved in waste packaging collection, recovery and recycling. They are all very deserving winners and we thank them and our sponsors for making the evening a success.”
Winners
Best Investment of PRN Funds: Novelis Recycling, who used PRN revenue to fund the development of an interactive educational film, along with using it to support recycling-themed workshops for schools.
Most Innovative Local Authority: Falkirk Council, who designed a recycling campaign which has targeted schools, council offices and the local community.
Best Partnership award: Nestlé and Fareshare. This partnership created a one-stop-shop for food industry and surplus waste, generating income for the charity Fareshare 1st. Nestlé set up this project to alleviate poverty by re-distributing in-date surplus food. The project has helped to minimise the amount of surplus food ending up in landfill.
Best Educational award: Eastleigh Borough Council, who targeted low performing recycling areas and aimed to increase recycling awareness in deprived areas. Highly commended runner up was Somerset Borough Council, for its SWAP initiative to promote waste awareness in schools and community groups across Somerset.
The Lifetime Achievement award: This celebrated 10 years of the packaging waste regulations. Valpak said: “The category was nominated by Valpak for someone whose contribution to the regulations within its 10 years of existence has helped both to shape them, and to move them forward. It is a personal recognition award and Valpak presented it to Mrs Sheila McKinley OBE.
“Mrs McKinley's work within DEFRA has helped to bring the regulations to where they are today.”
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