Finalists announced for Awards for Excellence 2009

More than 160 entries were received across nine categories this year, covering achievements and innovations across the local authority, business, retail and community sectors.

The event will be hosted by TV personality Dermot Murnaghan, with Lord Chris Smith, the chairman of the Environment Agency, appearing as guest speaker. It is supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency, Environmental Services Association (ESA) and National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO).

The awards, which are now in their sixth year, recognise achievements across the waste and recycling management chain, from innovative design of waste management facilities and the always-popular Collection Crew of the Year through to High Street and Commercial Recycling Champions.

Steve Eminton, editor of letsrecycle.com, said: “Both the quantity and quality of entries we've received this year has been exceptional, and it proves just how much fantastic work is being undertaken to encourage sustainable waste management by businesses, community groups, local authorities and waste management companies.”

This year's finalists by category are:

High street recycling champion – sponsored by Severnside Recycling

• Home Retail Group – Reduced waste to landfill by 46% and increased recycling rates;
• Marks and Spencer – Achieved a major increase in the number of hangers reused;
• Queensgate Shopping Centre – For increasing its recycling rates from 14% in 2007 to 60% in 2009.

• David Robert-Lloyd and Cheryl Purvis, Glaxosmithkline Coleford – For achieving zero waste to landfill on the soft drinks manufacturer's site;
• Mike Hanson, BaxterStorey – For helping the catering company recycle almost 100% of all waste from its kitchens;
• RDC recycling team – The computer reuse and recycling services provider exceeded EU WEEE targets for recycling and recovery and sent zero IT waste to landfill.

Waste management initiative in the commercial and public sector – sponsored by Shanks Waste Solutions

• Imago@Loughborough University – Introduced initiatives at the University to reduce waste to landfill and increase recycling rates;
• The Kerrygold Company – Reduced the weight of packaging and introduced resealable packaging to reduce waste;
• PDM – Food waste recycler offering nationwide collections for the commercial sector and investing in renewable energy generation.

Innovation in design of a waste management facility – sponsored by the Environmental Services Association

• Closed Loop Recycling, Dagenham – Incorporating renewable energy technologies and establishing an engagement programme based at the world's first food grade mixed plastic bottle recycling plant;
• Lakeside Energy-from-Waste Ltd plant and education centre, near Slough – For turning the visual impact of the stack at the facility, which is a joint venture between Grundon and Viridor, into a design feature which would help to shape the landscape;
• Sims Recycling Solutions WEEE Recycling Plant, Newport – For developing one of the world's largest and most technically-advanced WEEE recycling facilities.

Collection crew of the year – sponsored by SITA UK

• London borough of Merton refuse round 2 – For leading the way since the borough changed to a new zonal working method;
• Belfast city council, phase 6 bin crew – For always ensuring their route is finished and offering advice to residents on how to separate their waste;
• Rushcliffe borough council; Scott Jackson, Shaun Jackson and Ed Medhurst – For reducing missed collections by more than 60% and helping to develop an in-cab communications system.

The best community recycling initiative

• Green Streets and Leave Leeds Tidy – The two student-led volunteering projects have diverted 21 tonnes of waste from landfill;
• Action for Stannington and Veolia Environmental Services, Sheffield – For forming a partnership to push the 'reduce, reuse, recycle' message to local residents;
• Bag It Up Ltd and Southampton city council – The social enterprise and council have worked with stakeholders to promote and develop recycling schemes.

Civic amenity site of the year – sponsored by REPIC

• Hunters Lane household waste recycling centre, Warwickshire county council – following the redevelopment of the site in 2007, the recycling and composting rate at the site has increased from 42.56% to 73.59% in July 2009.
• Smallmead waste management park, Re3 Partnership, Reading – the centre run as a partnership between three Berkshire councils has achieved recovery rates of 60% and 99% public satisfaction;
• Thorp Arch household waste sorting site, Leeds city council – the site has expanded the range of products recycled to achieve a 70.94% recycling and reuse rate;

The best local authority recycling initiative – sponsored by AbitibiBowater

• Canterbury city council – For establishing a trade waste recycling collection and increasing businesses' awareness of their legal requirements;
• London borough of Islington – For reducing waste arisings by 9.2% between 2007/08 and 2008/09, resulting in savings of £500,000 and reaching a 31% recycling rate;
• Manchester city council – For transforming the city's recycling services by running Manchester's largest ever public consultation and rolling out improved recycling collections.

Local authority recycling champion – sponsored by UPM

• David Bailey, Leeds city council – For introducing initiatives which have helped to boost the city's recycling rate, including new bring banks and recycling facilities at major events;
• Yvonne Crace, London borough of Brent – For her work as a waste education officer, working with 72 primary schools in one of the UK's most culturally-diverse boroughs;
• Councillor Janine Rodger, Rutland county council – For providing the political leadership and momentum to drive through the council's new waste and recycling collection system.

Astounding

Commenting on the entries received this year, Barbara Herridge, chair of the judging panel, said: “The high level of ideas and achievements seen in the entries is astounding to see. The commercial sector is making real progress in tackling waste with innovative ideas. On the local authority side it is good to see people using WRAP material and sharing best practice and visiting other authorities.”

Mr Eminton added: “I would like to thank everyone who entered and congratulate all our finalists.”

To book a table at this year's daytime awards ceremony, please contact Steve Dickinson on 02076334501 or e-mail steve.d@environmentmedia.co.uk