The Head of Waste Strategy at the Welsh Government, Dr Andy Rees, has been recognised with an OBE for ‘services to the Environment and Recycling in Wales’ in the 2019 New Year Honours list.The award reflects the transformation of recycling performance in Wales. When Dr Rees joined the Welsh Government in 2000, the country’s municipal recycling rate was seven per cent - this figure has now risen to 63 per cent, establishing Wales as the top performing country in the UK and among the best in the world.Paying tribute to the team effort that has contributed to this, Mr Rees told Resource that the award had come as a ‘big surprise’.He added: “I am deeply humbled and surprised to receive this OBE. I have been lucky to have been involved with a fantastic group of people over the last two decades as we have striven to improve Wales’ recycling rates.“Most of this is down to the hard work of other colleagues, both within the Welsh Government and in our Local Authorities. But above all it has been the fantastic response of the people of Wales in joining in with recycling that has been the most rewarding aspect of my career.”

MBE for Colin Crooks

Also recognised in this year’s list is Colin Crooks, who receives an MBE for ‘services to Disadvantaged People and the Environment in London’.A long-time advocate of social enterprise Crooks he founded and led many initiatives in the sector. In 2000, he set-up Green Works a pioneering initiative working with private sector customers to recycle office furniture.He also served as Executive Chairman of the London Community Resource Network (formerly London Community Recycling Network).Currently, Crooks is Chief Executive of Tree Shepherd, a social enterprise that promotes and supports employment and business growth in marginalised communities, based in Lambeth, where he has previously served as a councillor.