Plastic pipe manufacturer JFC Plastics Ltd has won top honours at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) Awards for Environmental Excellence, which recognise and reward best practice in the sustainable management of waste and resources and reduction of environmental impact.
The award for Sustainable Product Development of the Year was presented to JFC Plastics by sponsor Greater Manchester Waste at an event held at the Dorchester Hotel on London’s Park Lane on 31 October 2007. The ceremony was hosted by BBC news presenter Sophie Raworth and the judges included Dr Liz Goodwin, chief executive of the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), Owen Jenkins, director of CIRIA, and John Ingham, environment editor of the Daily Express.
Steve Lee, chief executive of the CIWM, said: “If we are going to see real change in the way we manage our resources, including waste, every part of society has to be engaged. These awards recognise the efforts being made by public and private sector organisations across a range of industries to implement a more sustainable approach to waste and resource management, to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and to develop new products and practices that deliver a better environmental performance. We are also recognising individual ‘recycling champions’ who have made an outstanding personal contribution through work in their local communities.”
JFC Plastics won the award for its Twinwall pipe, an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete which is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and is, in turn, fully recyclable. The company not only manufactures the product, but has linked up with plastic bottle collection schemes throughout the UK to reprocess the plastic collected. At its recycling plant in St Helen’s, JFC separates, washes and converts the recovered HDPE (high density polyethylene), which is then used in the production of the pipes.
The judges particularly praised JFC’s use of recovered plastic bottles and were impressed that the end product was not only recycled and recyclable but is better for the environment than the original.
Introducing the award host, BBC news presenter Sophie Raworth said: “JFC Plastics demonstrated a commitment to developing a product that is, naturally, environmentally excellent but which also provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to the existing choices. This award recognises its work in bringing new, sustainable products to fruition.”
Steve Lee added: “Our awards provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of, and reward, best practice. The standard of entries was very high, and the judging panel has had to make some tough decisions. My congratulations to JFC Plastics, to all today’s winners and also to all those companies and individuals who entered and reached the finals – every contribution in the battle to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency is important.”
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Issued on behalf of the CIWM by Smye Holland Associates
For further information contact:
Debbie Chivers or Mike Holland
Smye Holland Associates
Tel: 01733 564906
Fax: 01733 562051
E-mail: debbiec@smye-holland.com
Pat Jennings
CIWM Communications Office
Tel: 01604 620426
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk
