Three current or former government officials as well as two senior figures from the UK's recycling and sustainability sectors have been recognised for their achievements in the 2013 New Year Honours list.
Director of Strategic Evidence and Analysis at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Dr Miles Michael Parker, was given an OBE in recognition of his services to improving government science.
Former Secretary of State for the Environment and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, has been made a Dame in recognition of public and political service spanning 40 years.
Meanwhile, non-executive Director at the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), Clare Whelan, has been awarded an OBE for services to local government in London.
Further recognition as part of the Honours List went to founder and CEO of social recycling charity Recycling Lives, Steve Jackson, who was awarded an OBE for services to employment and the community in Lancashire, while co-founder and CEO of sustainability charity and social enterprise BioRegional, Sue Riddlestone, was given an OBE in recognition of her services to sustainable business and to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Clare Whelan, OBE
Appointed as non-executive director of WRAP in 2009, Whelan has maintained close ties with environmental issues as a Member of the Local Government Association Environment Board and through chairing Lambeth’s Climate Change Commission.
Whelan has also served as a cabinet member for the environment at Lambeth, a member on the Western Riverside Waste Authority and has contributed to David Cameron’s Quality of Life group, set up to advise environmental policy. Whelan is also a serving member of the Advisory Board of the Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group.
Steve Jackson, OBE
UK based social welfare charity, Recycling Lives, was founded by Jackson in 2008 and ‘offers an holistic programme of accommodation, work experience, training and employment opportunities to people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.’ Funded by partner and former metal recycling company Recycling Lives Limited, Recycling Lives has helped a ‘large number’ of those who are homeless into accommodation and employment.
Speaking of his award, Jackson said: “I'm incredibly proud and honoured to receive such an award from her Majesty. In a year where sporting achievements rightly dominate our newspapers it's nice to receive acknowledgement for work done in the community.
“It’s my hope that receiving an OBE will help me to highlight the good work done by everyone at Recycling Lives and help us to expand our successful social business model into other areas of the UK, where it can assist even more.”
Sue Riddlestone, OBE
Co-founded by Riddlestone in 1992, BioRegional works with companies such as DIY store B&Q in helping to develop sustainability strategies. She also helped set up an associated company, the Laundry, in 2003 which was the first to offer kerbside recycling of office paper in London.
Honoured partly for her services to the 2012 Olympic Games, Riddlestone worked as one of the Mayor’s London Sustainable Development Commissioners in a voluntary capacity in 2003-04, in order to develop a sustainability strategy for London’s 2012 Games bid.
Endorsed by WWF-UK, Riddlestone co-wrote the Towards a One Planet Olympics sustainability strategy, which was ultimately put together jointly by BioRegional and bid organisation London 2012.
Speaking about her recognition, Riddlestone said: "I am really touched and grateful. It's lovely to be recognised in this way, for me and for all the team at BioRegional.
“A lot of people say we’re in a recession so we can't afford to think about sustainability. But what I've found through my work over the last twenty years is that sustainability opens up a lot of opportunities.
“If we treat people and the planet's resources with respect we can save money, cut waste, and create new business opportunities and jobs in a safer and more reliable economy, all of which leads to us living happier, healthier lives. This honour is a welcome recognition of this approach."
Read more about the 2013 New Year Honours List
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.