Awards for Excellence: Biffa finalists enjoy limelight

Biffa teams enjoyed their moment in the limelight at one of the waste and recycling industry’s most prestigious events. 

The UK leader in sustainable waste management was a finalist in two categories at the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. 

The awards recognise innovation, dedication and success in the recycling and waste industry, local authorities and the wider sector. 

Biffa had two teams in the Collection Crew of the Year category and was a co-entrant in the Best Local Authority Recycling Initiative category. 

All three were runners-up in their respective categories. 

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The Best Local Authority Recycling Initiative entry was for a food waste minimisation and redistribution programme project with West Sussex County Council and UKHarvest.  

The Community Food Waste Prevention and Rescue programme takes surplus food from suppliers that would otherwise have gone to waste and redistributes it to residents via a series of Community Food Hubs. 

Chris Hampson, Biffa's West Sussex General Manager, said: "Preventing perfectly good food and other produce from going to waste is a cornerstone of our sustainability strategy.  

“It's a lifeline for many families in today’s cost-of-living crisis and is better for the environment as redistributing surplus food instead of sending it to waste helps reduce carbon emissions.” 

Biffa also had teams from Cornwall and Lincoln in the Collection Crew of the Year Award.   

For the Cornwall crew, working in their community is so much more than providing a reliable waste collection service - they’re always looking to see how else they can make a difference, from helping elderly residents with DIY to raising money for charity.  

The Lincoln crew was shortlisted after helping a woman who needed urgent assistance after collapsing in the city centre. They administered first aid and kept her warm until the ambulance arrived. 

The Cornwall crew were highly commended, while the Lincoln crew finished third. 

Steve Cole, Biffa’s Managing Director, Municipal Division, said: "For two of our amazing municipal teams to be finalists at such a high-profile industry event is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to their commitment to caring for the people and communities where they work.”