A Sheffield man has won top honours at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) Awards for Environmental Excellence, which recognise and reward companies and individuals who have introduced successful measures to tackle waste and improve the environment.
Danny Piermattei is the winner of the Individual Recycling Champion of the Year award, announced 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), John Ingham, environment editor of the Daily Express, and CIWM President Jeff Cooper, a senior official at the Environment Agency.
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. The Individual Recycling Champion of the Year award recognises members of the public who have made an outstanding personal contribution through work in their local communities and Danny has set an outstanding example.”
Danny has been committed to cleaning up his Sheffield neighbourhood since he arrived from Italy in 1996. Within weeks he was out picking up litter and he went on to launch ‘Action For Stannington,’ a community group dedicated to improving the local environment, which now has 5,500 households involved in recycling.
Danny also produces a guide to recycling facilities in the area, has been involved in establishing solar and wind-powered recycling facilities and has become involved with Cot-Age Child Safety, helping to recycle nursery equipment for families in need. The judges commented that he is “a human tornado, passionately committed to recycling” and his efforts have been “above and beyond the call of duty.” Danny was presented with his award by Ian Ross, senior executive of award sponsor Enterprise.
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 Danny, to all today’s winners and also to all those 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
