 |
Addressing the awards audience at the event in London, the Minister said that he was pleased to see successful projects recognised at the ceremony.
He also outlined the importance of meeting local authority targets and said that he was optimistic that the first recycling target of 17% will be met and might even be surpassed.
 (front row, centre left) Awards finalists with Environment minister Elliot Morley with newsreader Darren Jordon |
The Awards for Excellence presenter was broadcaster and BBC newsreader Darren Jordon who said that he was thrilled to be giving the nine winners their awards trophies.
He spoke of how he had seen recycling gain more coverage in the media as levels of recycling activity were starting to increase.
The 2004 Awards for Excellence winners were:
High Street Recycling Champion – sponsored by Severnside Recycling
Kevin Rusby, operations manager for The Bridges shopping centre owned by Land Securities in Sunderland.
The Bridges recycled just 6.6% of its waste in September 2002 before Mr Rusby set himself the task of improving this. He signed up 97% of the retailers in just six weeks and the centre reached a 44% recycling rate in March 2004.
Commercial Recycling Champion – sponsored by Valpak.
Derek Brown, waste management coordinator, of the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals Division.
With this entry the judges took the view that the organisation was operating in a commercial style and in particular had challenging wastes to deal with, similar to those faced by many sectors of industry. Through the dedication and effort of waste management co-ordinator Derek Brown, recycling performance has improved alongside a modernisation of the way the division handles its waste.
Commercial Waste Management Initiative – sponsored by Onyx Environmental Group
Eurostar
Showing what can be done by a rail operator cross-Channel company Eurostar has introduced a paper recycling scheme to its London Waterloo operation. Customer services manager Nicola Neill has been the inspiration behind the project and has worked with Biffaward and Network Recycling, as well as paper recycler Paper Round. The scheme covers back-of-house activities, the departure lounge and onboard trains and is set for expansion.
Innovation in Design of a Waste Management Facility – sponsored by ESTET
The energy from waste facility operated by SITA on the Isle of Man.
As the sole disposal route for waste on the Isle of Man, SITA's new energy-from-waste facility had to be designed for efficiency and reliability as well as fitting in with the picturesque scenery. Architects decided to turn the facility into a landmark – celebrating, rather than concealing, its design. A Viking-style sail became a visually-striking feature, but has also helped to reduce the apparent scale of the building behind it.
Collection Crew of the Year – sponsored by SITA UK
Driver Steve Bord and operator Paul Nichols of Onyx Market Harborough.
The crew collects paper, glass and cans in three compartments on their 12-tonne Kerbsider vehicle. Always prepared to spend time giving advice to householders, the crew has served as a model of good practice for other local authorities. The crew has also collected nearly 70 tonnes more material for recycling than similar rounds over a ten-month period from October 2003.
Waste Industry and Local Authority Partnership – sponsored by Straight plc
A partnership between Monmouthshire County Council and Wormtech Ltd.
Green waste is collected in biodegradable bags from 30,000 homes and is then composted within bunkers in disused military buildings. Earthworms then convert the compost into an organic fertiliser. The project has helped put Monmouthshire to being a top recycling performer in Wales.
Civic Amenity Site of the Year – sponsored by EMR
Gloucestershire county council's Wingmoor Farm Household Recycling Centre.
The Wingmoor Farm centre Tewkesbury and Cheltenham has seen a spectacular 200% increase in recycling levels since 2002. Working with operators Cory Environmental, Gloucestershire has carried out extensive refurbishments, turning the centre into one of the best-performing recycling centres in the country with 500,000 public visits and a recycling rate nearing 77%.
Continued on page 2
Register for free to comment