Congratulations!
The judges were extremely impressed with the high quality applications showcasing so much excellent and inspiring work around the UK and would like to commend everyone for their dedication, hardwork and enthusiasm. After much careful deliberation and debate the LARAC awards judging panel is delighted to announce the winners and finalists:

Best Communications Campaign of the Year

Sponsored by:

WINNER
Recycle for Barrow

(l-r) Craig Robinson from UPM, Joy Blizzard from LARAC, officers from
Resource Cumbria and host Quentin Wilson

RUNNERS UP:
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Recycle for Hampshire Can Campaign
The R Factor (Resource Cumbria Schools)

Best Partnership Award (target success)

Sponsored by:

WINNER:
Scottish Borders Council and Bookdonors

RUNNERS UP:
Bulky Collections in Shropshire
Glasgow Recycles

Best Regional Project / Initiative

Sponsored by:

WINNER:
North London Watch Your Waste Week (The North London Waste Authority and seven North London boroughs)

Dimitra Rappou, waste prevention officer (second left), receives a trophy in
recognition of the North London 'Watch Your Waste Week'

RUNNERS UP:
Recycling Promotion on the Gosport- Portsmouth Ferry
Recycled Clothes Show: Restyled (Buckinghamshire Waste Education Programme)

Best Waste Minimisation or Prevention Project

Sponsored by:

WINNER:
West Sussex Waste Prevention Advisor (volunteers)

Andy Doran, national recycling manager at Novelis (left), presents the award
for Best Waste Minimisation or Prevention Project

RUNNERS UP:
Islington Council 's Waste Minimisation and Recycling Action Plan
North London Watch Your Waste Week (The North London Waste Authority and seven North London boroughs)

Recycling Officer of the Year

Sponsored by:

WINNER:
Jennifer Gosling (Westminster City Council)

(l-r) Adam Billiald from YELL; Jennifer Gosling from Westminster city council;
Joy Blizzard, chair of LARAC; and awards host Quentin Wilson

RUNNERS UP
David Bailey (Leeds City Council)
Yvonne Crace (London Borough of Brent)

2009 Judging Panel

All award categories are open to local authority recycling officers within the UK. The term recycling officer will be adopted in a flexible way by judges as it is accepted that job titles vary across councils and that a "recycling officer" may well work under a different job title. Entries should generally cover the 12 month period from June 2008 to June 2009 and should be submitted by August 14.

The Celebration Awards will take place at the Crowne Plaza, Liverpool Docks, Liverpool on Wednesday 7th October. The evening starts with a champagne reception, followed by the Celebration Awards, dinner, and music and dancing until late. Guaranteed to be the best night of the year for the Local Authority Recycling Officers!