Valpak Limited, the UK's leading provider of producer responsibility and recycling solutions, held its eighth annual awards ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe, Bankside, London, on Thursday 24 September 2009.

The event showcased best practise, highlighted individual efforts and helped to raise media awareness of some of the achievements and innovations being made in the fields of recycling, waste management, environmental awareness and carbon reduction.

The Valpak Awards have been designed to recognise and celebrate recycling and resource management initiatives, and entries were encouraged from a range of organisations and individuals from both the public and private sectors, communities and the third sector. Valpak felt it was important, especially in this tough economic climate, to identify commitment to the environment and showcase innovative solutions to complex environmental problems.

The evening was kindly supported by award sponsors BPI Recycled Products, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Hammonds LLP, themanufacturer.com, Wincanton and recycle-more.co.uk, who were all on hand to congratulate the winners and present the awards they made possible.

Steve Gough, Chief Executive of Valpak Limited, commented:

'I am thrilled that, in these tough economic times, Valpak again received such a high standard of Award entries. It is pleasing to see that organisations and individuals are continuing to research and put into practice ways of reducing their impacts on our environment.'

Winners and guests enjoyed a meal in the theatre's Under Globe, followed by an engaging speech and photographic demonstration from the well known scientist, television and radio presenter Professor Heinz Wolff.

The Award winners and runners-up were:

1. Best Investment of PRN Funds - sponsored by Wincanton
   Winner - Greenstar WES Ltd - 'Boosting Recycling of Food Grade and Awkward Plastics'
   Runner-up - Novelis Recycling



2. Most Innovative Local Authority - sponsored by recycle-more.co.uk
   Winner - London Borough of Lewisham - 'Eco-Street Project'
   Runner-up - Canterbury City Council



3. Best Partnership - sponsored by Hammonds LLP
   Winner - West Dunbartonshire Council - 'Recycling in Flats to Help Meet Zero Waste Targets'
   Runner-up -Cumbria Strategic Waste Partnership



4. Best School Environmental Awareness Campaign - sponsored by BPI Recycled Products
   Winner - London Borough of Bexley - 'School's Waste Action Club'
   Runner-up - Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd



5. Best Community Recycling Initiative - sponsored by themanufacturer.com
   Winner - Cardiff Council - 'Food Waste - Schools'
   Runner-up - Borough of Poole
6. Best Resource Management Project - sponsored by Coca-Cola Enterprises
   Winner - Alara Wholefoods - 'Becoming a Zero Waste Company'
   Runner-up - Lenzing Fibers



7. Consistent Commitment to Developing Environmental Awareness & Sustainability - sponsored by Valpak Limited
   Winner - Islington Council - 'Innovation in Waste Minimisation'



8. Valpak Award for Excellence - An individual recognition award - sponsored by Valpak Limited
   Winner - Stephen Didsbury, Head of Waste & Street Services, The London Borough of Bexley