The awards ceremony – at which the winners will be revealed – will be held on Wednesday 7 October 2026 at The Hilton Metropole in Birmingham, following the first day of the annual LARAC Conference.
The two-day event attracts over 500 participants representing local authorities from across the UK.
LARAC Chair Gareth Rollings said: “The LARAC Conference has always been more than just a date in the diary – it’s where local authority recycling and waste professionals come together to share ideas, learn from one another, and shape the future of our sector.
“Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning as part of the LARAC community, you’ll find a warm welcome, valuable insight, and practical conversations that make a real difference. We look forward to seeing you there.”
The shortlist for the Celebration Awards was compiled by a panel of judges from across the waste and recycling sector:
- Margaret Bates, Circular Economy Expert
- Eleanor Williams, Head of Strategy, PackUK
- Savannah Coombe, Editor, letsrecycle.com
- Tom McBeth, Policy Officer, LARAC
- Gareth Rollings, Chair, LARAC
- Niamh McBride, Local Authority and Environmental Partnerships Manager, Material Focus
- Ruth Hunter, Local Authority Technical Consultant at WRAP
See the full shortlist below.
Conference agenda
The agenda for the 2026 conference has also been published.
The two-day event takes place on 7 and 8 October 2026 and takes the waste hierarchy as its framework, exploring the full picture from reduction and reuse through to recovery.
Speakers include:
- Catherine David, CEO, WRAP
- Jeremy Blake, CEO, PackUK
- Anthony Buchan, Head of Department, ReLondon
- Patrick Brighty, Head of Recycling Policy, Environmental Services Association
- Mohammed Patel, Membership Manager, UK Fashion and Textile Association
- Andrew Bird, Service Director, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
- Dr Adam Read, Chief Sustainability and External Affairs Officer, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK
- Alan Martin, Project Executive, Environment Agency
View the full agenda here and buy tickets here.
Toni McNamara, Executive Director of LARAC, said: “This year, LARAC turns 40! Since 1985, we’ve been supporting the local authority waste and recycling community.
“Our UK conference remains the not-to-be-missed annual event for sharing practical solutions, discussing the latest challenges from policy to on-the-ground implementation, and recognising the hard work that is driving the sector forward.
“The LARAC awards ceremony shines a light on some of the outstanding achievements that often go unseen but make a real difference in communities across the UK. We look forward to seeing you all there.”
LARAC Celebration Awards 2026 Shortlist
BEST COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Contenur
- East and North Herts Councils
- East Suffolk Services
- London Borough of Merton
- North Somerset Council
- Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
- Westminster City Council (in partnership with Veolia)
BEST NEW IDEA
Sponsored by IPL
- London Borough of Merton
- North London Waste Authority
- Peterborough City Council
- Teignbridge District Council
BEST PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Sponsored by N+P
- Cornwall Council
- FCC Environment
- Islington Council and ReLondon
- Lincolnshire County Council
- Newport City Council
BEST TEAM OF THE YEAR
- Clackmannanshire Council
- East and North Herts Councils
- Highland Council
- Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
BEST WASTE MINIMISATION OR PREVENTION PROJECT
Sponsored by Ecogenesys
- East London Waste Authority
- North London Waste Authority
- North Somerset Council
- North Tyneside Council
CIRCULAR ECONOMY ACHIEVEMENT
- Enveco NW
- Low Carbon Kent (Kent County Council)
- North London Waste Authority
HEALTH & SAFETY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
- Lincolnshire County Council
- Westminster City Council
HWRC OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Smurfit Westrock
- Lincolnshire County Council
- London Borough of Merton
- North London Waste Authority
- Walsall Council
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