The top 35 ‘rising stars’ of the waste and recycling sector were revealed at a special awards event held at The Academy of Medical Sciences, in central London, last Thursday (23 January).
Being named as a 35-under-35 award status holder for 2019 is an accolade which recognises the industry’s ‘young guns’ who strive for professional excellence, promote industry innovation and give back to his or hers’ company or community.
Run by Letsrecycle.com in partnership with Grundon Waste Management, the 35-under-35 programme also focuses on individuals who show vision, creativity and determination.
Neil Grundon, Grundon’s Deputy Chairman, who presented the 2019 status holders with their awards said: “It’s exciting to see the brilliantly talented young people we have within the waste industry. All of those achieving the 35-under-35 status have shown immense enthusiasm, passion, drive, innovative thinking and leadership.
“It’s the rising stars, like those being recognised today, who make me feel proud to be a part of this vibrant and forward-thinking sector. I look forward to the future with renewed confidence and optimism, especially if we are to overcome the global environmental challenges we all face. Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist and achieved the 35-under-35 status.”
The awards programme is recognised as providing a springboard for career progression and gaining industry-wide recognition for professional competency, while highlighting the individual’s passion and dedication.
The host of the 35-under-35 awards, Steve Eminton, Editor of Letsrecycle.com, told the 35 entrants and guests, that “there is so much going in the environment at present, especially to do with climate change. I’m sure you are all well aware of the challenges of tackling climate change and what the future might hold but today we are focusing on the positives, which is what the 35-under-35 awards are about.
“You are all helping to deliver positive outcomes in the sector with benefits for resource management and environment – the judges were impressed at the amazing number of talented young people in the awards scheme who are driving the recycling and waste management profession forward.”
The announcement of the top three winners – who have gone above and beyond for someone at such an early stage in their waste and recycling career – saw special awards presented to Sarah Ottaway from SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, Matt Manning from Dixons Carphone PLC, and Arthur Kay from Bio-Bean Ltd.
Amongst those celebrating becoming a 35-under-35 status holder was Grundon’s own Chris Newell. Chris is a qualified chemist and Assistant Manager at Grundon’s Hazardous Waste Transfer Station in Ewelme, near Wallingford in Oxfordshire.
The awards judges were Steve Eminton, Editor, letsrecycle.com; Lee Marshall, Chief Executive, LARAC (The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee); Lorraine Milburn, Head of Human Resources, Grundon; and Jakob Rindegren, Recycling Policy Adviser at the Environmental Services Association.
The full list of 2019 “Status Holders of the 35-under-35 award” is:
Kirsty Ainsworth, London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB)
Laura Baughan, Oxford Direct Services working in partnership with Oxford City Council
Edward Best, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
Till Boegelsack, EEW Energy from Waste GmbH
Seamus Breen, EMR
Georgia Budden, Vegware
Bill Byfield, Oxford Direct Services working in partnership with Oxford City Council
Jonathan Caesar, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery
Jo-Anne Campbell, Wastepack Group
Will Date, Letsreycle.com
Richard Delooze, UK Container Maintenance (UKCM)
Pratik Desai, Perlemax
David Garrett, Garden Organic
Tom Garrood, Oxford Direct Services
Matthew Howarth, A&A Recycling
Victoria Hutchin, WYG
Martin Hyde, Comply Direct Ltd
Arthur Kay, Bio-Bean Ltd
James Kenward, DS Smith
Mittal Kothari, Envopap Limited
Matt Manning, Dixons Carphone PLC
Tony McPartland, UK Waste Solutions (UKWSL)
Jonathan Menard, Machinex
Nisha Mistry, Nisha Mistry HR Services Ltd
Chris Newell, Grundon Waste Management
Sarah Ottaway, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
Elena Parisi, Recycling Technologies
Dipika Patel, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
Paul Roberts, Roberts Recycling Ltd
Zoe Smith, Biffa
Fred Stinchcombe, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
Sean-Paul Taylor, Dunmow Waste Management
Brian Thornton, Turmec
Christos Tympanaris, London Borough of Hackney
Benjamin Willband, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK