May 5, 2006. National Recycling Awards. Green businesses, organisations and individuals who have gone the extra mile to reduce waste and improve recycling rates in the past 18 months are being urged to enter the National Recycling Awards 2006.

Now in their eighth year, the National Recycling Awards organised by Materials Recycling Week are widely recognised as the stamp of excellence in the recycling industry. They are open to any organisation, community group or company that is affected by recycling, plays an active part in the recycling process or is involved in the production chain of recycled products. Winners will be presented with their awards at a glamorous black-tie awards ceremony to be held at the Bournemouth International Centre on 15 November 2006.

This year a new category has been added - Electrical and Electronic Recycler of the Year - to reflect the increasing legislative importance of the re-use, reprocessing and recycling of electrical goods. It is open to all aspects of the supply chain from manufacturers and reprocessors to local authorities and community groups. A wide range of other categories are available to reward retail recycling initiatives, commitment to health and safety, local authority achievements, innovative community projects, successful information campaigns and unsung heroes of the recycling world.

Entries to all 13 categories should cover the period 1 January 2005 to 25 August 2006. Entry guidelines can be found on www.nationalrecyclingawards.com and the closing date for entries is 25 August 2006 (although nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award will be accepted until 7 September 2006).

Jane Rayner, chair of the judges and group editor for Materials Recycling Week said: "The Awards are aimed at rewarding good practice and creativity, as well as developing a network of people who can provide advice to others who may be adopting similar initiatives. Past winners have been contacted frequently by others keen to gain their knowledge on specific projects, and have found that the recognition of winning a National Recycling Award has helped in attaining funding for future development and winning tenders, as well as providing a well- earned boost to staff."

The entries will be judged in September by a panel of industry professionals including Lee Marshall, chairman, Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee; Dr Jane Gilbert, chief executive, Composting Association; Andrew Braund, head of health and safety, Confederation of Paper Industries; Trevor Hay, inspector, waste management and recycling section, Health and Safety Executive; Cam Matheson, project manager, East London Community Recycling Partnership and Michael Philpott, president, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management.

A list of nominees for the Lifetime Achievement Award will be posted on 11 September and the winners will be voted for by readers of MRW and www.mrw.co.uk Winners of the National Recycling Awards 2005 included two high street retailers, a prison and a foundry, as well as a number of local authorities, community and charitable organisations who played an important role in helping the UK to recycle more and reduce its dependence on landfill.

EnviroSystems received the award for Recycled Product of the Year 2005, for the animal bedding material it developed using recycled by-product from paper mills.

Elizabeth Russell, managing director of EnviroSystems, said: "The award has given our company a much higher profile because the media has been willing to tell the general public about us. In reaching the general public we have extended our market outside farming and animal bedding."

Pippa Milne, recycling and waste manager for Leeds City Council, winner of the 2005 award for Recycling Target Success said: "Being able to say that our performance has been acknowledged by the industry carries far more weight than anything we could say about ourselves. I certainly tell people whenever I have the opportunity."

Whether you have developed a safe and innovative process to recycle waste, helped to create an end market for recycled products or introduced a system to reduce waste in the workplace, the National Recycling Awards provide the perfect opportunity to shout about your achievements and encourage others to make a difference. For more information please visit www.nationalrecyclingawards.com