Thursday 24 September 2009

Recycling Champion of the Year Finalist


Now I was going to have an early night and blog about this in the morning, but the news was far too exciting to keep to myself.

This afternoon I received a surprise phone call from Suffolk County Council, to let me know that they had nominated me for this year's CIWM Awards for the category Recycling Champion of the Year.

Of course I was chuffed to bits with the news, but my smile got much wider when Anna, the Waste Communications Manager, continued to tell me that I've also been shortlisted and will be put forward as a finalist to the judging panel, who will announce their decision at the Awards event on 11th November.

Now this is where I take a break and run around the sofa in wild excitement for the 10th time today before I adopt a more professional manner more in keeping with the event itself.

And with my serious hat on, I am really grateful for Suffolk County Council's nomination as well as the enthusiasm of all those I have worked with on various campaigns and projects, including waste professionals, local schools, refuse collectors, local councillors, blog supporters, bloggers and tweeters as well as all my friends and family who have turned over to the lighter side when it comes to rubbish.

But do you know the best bit about the awards ceremony?

It's not that it's at a posh hotel in London, or that it's being hosted by Dragons' Den investor Deborah Meaden, or even that the awards are made from recycled glass...

Well, okay I admit that's all impressive in itself, as is the opportunity to rub shoulders with waste professionals who are really making a difference to the environmental landscape.

However what I am getting very excited about is the chance to meet someone very special, who I've discovered today is also listed in the same category and will be attending the awards too. It's Sarah Blenkinsop, aka Compostwoman, our very busy blogging friend who can normally be found in The Compost Bin in Herefordshire.

So with me in my recycling bin and Sarah in her composter, I am sure we'll make an entertaining double-act on the day and should we accidentally drop anything on the floor no doubt Tipton Litter Watch, the other finalist in our category, will help us clean up our act.

So huge thanks again to Suffolk County Council. It was a wonderful surprise, which has made one particular member of the community very happy indeed.


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The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), is the professional body which represents over 6,000 waste management professionals in the UK as well as overseas. The CIWM Awards for Environment Excellence are now in their third year and will be held at the Dorchester Hotel, London, on 11th November. The Recycling Champion of the Year award is intended to recognise the contribution of people or groups outside of the waste and resource management industry in encouraging public participation in managing resources and reducing or recycling waste.
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18 comments:

mrs green said...

Yay! Congratulations :) I'm so pleased for you- it's great that you are recognised for all the work you do in your community and on the internet to spread the recycling message.

Enjoy the ceremony!

John Costigane said...

Hi Mrs A,

Great to see that your community-based, and personal, achievements gaining recognition.

There have been so many positive developments in our trend. The Waste Industry are also making many steps towards sustainable practice which bode well for the future.

Compostwoman said...

:-)

Looking forward to meeting you :-))

Almost Mrs Average said...

Hi Mrs G - thank you so much. It was a real surprise. When Anna from the council rang to tell me, I was suffering from such a terrible cold, I'm sure she must have thought she'd got the wrong number. Perked me up though. Just what I needed (apart from a hot brandy and lemon of course) :-D x

Hi John - thank you :-D It is great news and hopefully will be an opportunity to further promote that waste reduction at this level can be achieved whether it's by recycling more or even taking the opportunity to recycle less, by being more fussy about your purchases in the first place. One thing's for sure, with news like this, it just goes to show you never know what's around the corner :-D

Hi Compostwomman - huge congratulations to you. It's so well deserved given how busy you are in your neck of the woods.

Hmm, I wonder if they will let us sit together. Hope you're journey's better on this occasion :-D

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Congratulations from me too Mrs A - you deserve the nomination and to be the winner. A x

lunarossa said...

Absolutely fantastic! Well deserved. Hope you'll win. Can we do anything to support you? Ciao. A.

dandaworld said...

Great news!!! I read this some days ago, but haven't the time to comment... so I want to make you know that I'm supporting you with all the affection, of course, as you always do with me!
;Danda

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

Congratulations on your nomination! I sent the dog to do a few laps around my sofa in celebration. I'd do it myself but he's better able to run around the back side of the sofa that's close to a wall.

Anonymous said...

Well done and fingers crossed....

Hazel

Almost Mrs Average said...

Hi Anne - thank you so much for your support. I'm really looking forward to it and will keep my fingers crossed :-D

Hi Antonella - Thank you. :-D It's now entirely up to the judging panel who will make their announcement on the day But what you can do in the meantime, is keep sharing your enthusiasm and spreading the word about easy ways to reduce the trash :-D

Hi Danda - Grazie Mille. It's great to have your support all the way from Italy too. By the way, have you visited Antonella's blog at Lunarossa? I'm sure you'll have lots to talk about :-D

Hi Lisa- LOL please thank your dog on my behalf. I hope he had a fab great zero waste treat when he finished :-D

Hi Hazel - thank you. By the way, how are things coming along in your neck of the woods. Hope it's all still slimming down?

Aina Alqua said...

Congratulations!!! This is a great thing you're doing!

Layla said...

Congratulations!! :)

YAY & hope you win!! :)

Or at least get yummie goodies & blog about it! :)

Almost Mrs Average said...

Hi Noor - Thank you so much for visiting the blog and for taking time to leave your comment. I appreciate it :-D

Hi Layla - Thank you :-D It will be an interesting time and I'll be in good company amongst the finalists. So watch this space as I am sure it will be tough competition. :-D

bin diver kate said...

What fantastic news! Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while, but glad to see you're still beating the Zero Waste drum!! Congratulations and I will keep all my fingers crossed for you. Love Kate xxx

Little Ernie Wise said...

Well done on the nomination! Good Luck! Bet you'll have a great time at the awards ceremony.

Almost Mrs Average said...

Hi Kate - it's so great to hear from you. I've been meaning to get it touch to see if you're still bin diving ;-) Thank you so much for your support and lovely comment. I'll be sure tolet you know how it goes xxxx

Hi Little Ernie Wise - what a lovely name. You got me reminiscing there for a moment. Thanks so much for popping by and for leaving your message of support. I really appreciate it. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hey Karen,

Well done for the shorlisting! You fully deserve it. Now that I am at Greeview do not hesitate in letting me know if you want some free compost for the school or community. My email is dan.sage@greenviewgroup.co.uk

Speak soon,

Dan

Almost Mrs Average said...

Hello Dan! Thank you for dropping by. I've been wondering how things have been going. (For anyone looking in...this is the Mr Sage who kicked off Zero Waste Week in St Edmundsbury last year...so this blog is really his fault LOL).

Anyway...down to matters of importance. I am most happy to accept a good measure of compost and I know a certain school which is relocating its vegetable garden soon, so I will be definitely getting in touch.

Will drop you an email. :-D

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