The team behind the rapid growth of a unique recycling business have been named nationally as Team of the Year.
Recycling Lives was honoured at the National Recycling Awards, in the Team of the Year (Commercial) category.
The award recognises the team’s delivery of five new sites openings, 47% growth in sales and a number of high profile contract wins over the last 18 months. The unique organisation is changing the way business is done by delivering social value as well as financial and environmental benefit through its own social programmes, working to rehabilitate ex-offenders, support the homeless and tackle food poverty.
Its staff team grew by 23% during this rapid growth period and includes around 40% who have joined the business through one of the social programmes.
The win is Recycling Lives second at the National Recycling Awards, run by Materials Recycling World, after its Food Redistribution Centre team won Team of the Year (Third Sector) in 2017.
Managing Director William Fletcher said: “This win is dedicated to every member of our team. From the welders to the wagon drivers, the crane drivers to the commercial teams – we couldn’t achieve all that we do without each and every one of them.
“Our staff are not only highly skilled in their roles, they’re also massively passionate about Recycling Lives social programmes, knowing their work is helping to change lives. I am incredibly proud to lead them.”
The award win came on the same day that Mr Fletcher and company President Terry Jackson, father of founders Steve and Danny Jackson, visited Buckingham Palace to receive Recycling Lives’ Queen’s Award for International Trade. It is also the company’s second major industry award win in 2018, following being named Recycling Business of the Year by Let’s Recycle in May.
The multiple award wins recognise Recycling Lives’ industry-leading operations, offering total waste management solutions and exporting high-grade recycled materials from its 15-acre Recycling Park in Lancashire.
It is also recognised by award bodies and clients for its unique business model, using its commercial operations to support and sustain social programmes, which create social value worth millions each year through savings for the taxpayer by reducing reoffending, tackling homelessness and redistributing surplus food.
