Panasonic and community group in Severnside award winners

At an awards banquet held in Cardiff's Millenium Stadium, sound and vision company Panasonic Communications clinched a number of awards for its all-round performance.

Peter McGuinness, managing director of Severnside, explained how he was delighted to find an increasing number of businesses and other groups which were making tremendous progress in recycling and improving their waste management. “We are very pleased to recognise those who excel in this our second year of giving these awards,” he said.

Severnside commercial director Tony Watkins said: “To achieve excellence is not easy. It takes commitment from the whole organisation, it relies on leadership to drive change and effective communication to ensure buy-in from those asked to change. It also requires excellent service provision in partnership with others.

Invest

“To achieve the targets, public or private which we face now and in the coming years, we need to develop and invest in innovation to be sure we are ready. And finally without a full and dynamic engagement with the communities we work with and within the stretching standards we must deliver to reach a sustainable economy just cannot be achieved.”

Representatives of Panasonic with (centre) awards presenter Patrick Tansey.

Mr Watkins outlined the categories for the awards which ranged from innovation to best overall solution. Panasonic was a winner in several categories including best overall waste management solution, best community recycling and best training and information campaign, the category in which it secured top prize.

Of the best overall waste management solution category, which was won by Kimberly Clark, Mr Watkins said: “Any winner of this category must by definition have achieved something uncommon so if I tell you that this company has managed to achieve zero landfill and make its waste management process self financing. I am sure you will agree that this year's winner truly is the &#39Be;st Overall Waste Management Solution'.”

Representatives of Oakfield with awards presenter Patrick Tansey.

Learning

Best community recycling initiative was won by the Oakfield Centre. The organisation has formed a link with the local community and provides a recycling service that involves people with learning difficulties. It brings together sections of the community through recycling that may not otherwise interact. Mr Watkins praised the centre, saying: “The difference they make is permanent.”

At the Severnside Awards there were six categories with a set of finalist for each. The finalists with the overall winners were:

Best commitment to change business practice

Overall winner: Arcadia
Natures Way
Celtic Manor

Best training and information campaign

Overall winner: Panasonic Communication
Carmarthenshire Recycling
TJ International

Best recycling service supplier

Overall winner: Hemmings Waste Management
Bath & NE Somerset Council
Elm Tree

Innovative recycling award

DS Smith, Launceston
Tesco

Best community recycling initiative

Overall winner: Oakfield Centre
DVLA, Swansea
Panasonic Communication

Best overall waste management solution

Overall winner: Kimberly Clarke
Panasonic Communication
Arnold Laver Timberworld
DVLA Swansea