Preston-based TEG scooped The Partnership Award for its work with Sefton in resolving a contamination issue in the borough's ground-breaking waste food collection service. 

The award was one of seven presented by The Association for Organics Recycling (AFOR) at their Annual Awards dinner, which showcases excellence and innovation across the composting industry.

Claire Willis from AFOR said: "The Partnership Award judges were very impressed, in particular with the integrated programme that TEG and Sefton Council used to resolve the issue of contamination by crews, which included colour coding the stillage vehicles and providing awareness raising courses for crew members."

Sefton has been working closely with composting specialists TEG Environmental since 2007.  TEG handles around 175 tonnes of kitchen food waste each month which is collected from the weekly kerbside collection service. 

Currently more than 27,500 households participate in the food waste scheme, which has seen a rise in the borough's recycling rate from 24 per cent to almost 40 per cent.

When contamination of the food waste began to occur in early 2008, TEG and Sefton Council worked together to identify and resolve the issue.  TEG noticed high levels of contamination with glass bottles and cans in Sefton's food waste. These contaminants were difficult to remove from the composting system and compromised the quality of the end product.

"Once the teams from TEG and Sefton's contract partners Abitibi Bowater got together they were able to resolve the problem within a very short period of time," said TEG's Commercial Director, Jayne Pierre.  "We're very pleased that our efforts have been recognised by this prestigious industry award, which is a testament to that good team work.

"TEG is now happy to showcase Sefton as a model to potential new customers and visiting local authorities. In December 2008, the TEG plant that accepts Sefton's waste was awarded the stringent PAS 100QP quality standard for producing high grade compost."

Assistant Environmental Protection Director, Jim Black, said: "We are one of only a handful of councils offering a segregated food waste collection service to households. 

"There has been a huge learning curve for everyone involved and the teamwork and determination to resolve any issues has shone through.  We are very pleased that it has now been recognised by this award.

"We will continue to promote the service and increase the amount of food waste diverted from landfill. This service has clear environmental benefits, residents that are recycling their food waste should be commended for doing so, and hopefully this good news will encourage others to join in."

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