Two leading vehicle, plant and equipment companies have 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.
Zoeller Waste Systems beat off stiff competition to win the award in the Plant & Equipment of the Year category for its new lightweight Rotary Alpha bin-lifter, which improves vehicle fuel consumption and safety. In the Vehicle of the Year category, Industrial Cleaning Machines was selected by the judges for its electric-powered Eco Sweep 360.
The winners were 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 Simon Chapman, chief economist at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Trevor Hay of the Health and Safety Executive, 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.”
Zoeller claims its Rotary Alpha Bin-Lift claims is the only bin-lift on the market that can offer all collection modes on the same refuse collection vehicle (trade waste bin collection, split domestic bin collections and genuine “open back” collection mode). By using aluminium as the main construction material, the bin-lift weighs less than half a tonne when fitted and has the added benefit of a high commodity value when it reaches the end of its life; in fact Zoeller estimates that it will be 95 per cent recyclable. Because of its ultra-low weight, highly efficient rotary actuator operation and five-second cycle time, the bin-lift also delivers a considerable saving in fuel requirements.
Announcing the winner, BBC news presenter Sophie Raworth said: “These awards recognise innovations in design and manufacturing of the vehicles, plant and equipment that play such an important role in wastes management and resource recovery.”
Zoeller received its award from John O’Neill, sales director of category sponsor Excel Plant UK.
The Vehicle of the Year Award was won by Industrial Cleaning Machines (ICM) for its electric-powered Eco Sweep 360 and was presented to the company by David Williams, national sales manager of the award sponsor Vision Techniques.
As its name suggests, the Eco Sweep 360 was designed with the environment in mind and the judges were impressed with the combination of environmental benefits and reduced running costs. Electrically powered, it promises low noise, zero emissions and excellent dust control, with a filtration system that filters and suppresses dust down to two microns. One battery charge lasts for an eight-hour shift and costs just £1.50, compared to the use of around 36 litres of fuel in a diesel powered machine.
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 Zoeller Waste Systems and Industrial Cleaning Machines, 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
