Awards for Excellence 2025: Biffa shortlisted for several titles
2 May 2025
3 mins
The awards recognise innovation, dedication and success in the recycling and waste industry, local authorities and the wider sector.
Biffa was shortlisted for several titles at the 2025 Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management on May 1.
Billed as the "most prestigious event in the environmental calendar", the awards recognise innovation, dedication and success in the recycling and waste industry, local authorities and the wider sector.
Here are the nominations and the results:
Waste management initiative in the retail, commercial and public sector
- Biffa was asked by a client to put in place a secure destruction and recycling solution for branded cosmetic packaging. Using Biffa’s own facilities alongside several trusted third parties, Biffa increased recycling rates by 74% while providing a secure destruction route for recyclables and mixed polymers.
Collection crew of the year
- In Waverley, South Yorkshire, Steve Weston’s exceptional dedication to the clinical waste service has earned him widespread praise. His personal, compassionate approach goes beyond waste collection - helping residents with everyday tasks such as laundry and dog walking. He has even been invited to attend weddings and funerals as a gesture of appreciation for his support.
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: In Amblestone, East Sussex, Paul Richardson Jr and Dan Weaks provide reliable waste collection, assist elderly and disabled residents, and maintain high safety standards. They have an impressive record of just 11 missed bins per 100,000 collections and showed remarkable courage during a medical emergency.
Health and safety initiative of the year
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Biffa’s Control Centre drives safety audits across its fleet, reducing injury rates through real-time monitoring, hazard identification, and corrective actions. Expanding from the Municipal to the Industrial & Commercial division, results include significant decreases in injury and hazard rates.
- In partnership with Manchester City Council, Biffa launched interactive Road Safety Workshops, educating 1,890 primary school children on the dangers of waste vehicles, including electric RCVs. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with schools praising the engaging content. The programme empowers children with life-saving road safety knowledge, promoting safer communities and future awareness.
Social value within a community
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Biffa’s Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme was created in 2024 to develop the next generation of engineering talent and is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). IET accreditation means Biffa’s engineering apprentices earn a globally recognised qualification and become professionally registered engineers with the Engineering Council, opening more opportunities for career growth and professional development. It also strengthens Biffa’s reputation as an employer committed to developing top talent in the industry. The four-year Level 3 programme teaches a range of skills and sets young engineers up to become multi-skilled mechatronic technicians who carry out a range of activities at Biffa’s operational sites, including installation, testing, finding and fixing faults, modifications and the maintenance of complex automated equipment.
Best newcomer of the year
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hayley Slack is Biffa’s Communications, Education and Liaison Officer in Cumbria, and was presented with a Certificate of Achievement at the Enviro 100 ceremony in September for her commitment to sustainability.
Service Change at a Local Authority Level
- WINNER: Biffa's strategic partnership with Cornwall Council and Suez involves a comprehensive waste and recycling operation across the county. The project has introduced food waste collections, driven up recycling rates from 33% to 53% and reduced kerbside residual waste by 14%. Biffa handles collection and transportation, while Suez processes waste for recycling and incinerates non-recyclables for energy. This partnership promotes sustainable practices, contributing to a cleaner, greener Cornwall through effective waste recovery and management.
