Waste Watch

Future Friendly Award winners announced

10 March 2008

The inaugural Future Friendly Awards were held at a carbon neutral ceremony in London's Banqueting Hall on 6 March 2008.

The Awards, which seek to recognise and reward members of the public who have helped and inspired others to lead more sustainable lives, were presented by veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald.

Waste Watch Director Peter Robinson was on the judging panel and helped to select the winners within four categories from the hundreds of entries received from across the country. Peter announced the winner of the Waste Watch Local Champion Award which went to Doug McLaren (pictured) for his non-profit making company Tayside Recyclers.

Mr McLaren was rewarded for "the enormous and demonstrable benefits of this initiative and the longevity of [his] commitment to championing sustainable living within the community". As well as an Oliver Heath-designed award, he received a £5,000 cash grant and Waste Watch consultancy services worth another £5,000 to help build his business.

Tayside Recyclers, based in Dundee, repairs and sells secondhand items from household appliances to clothes and DIY materials. Back in 1992 Mr McLaren had been horrified by the huge volume of stuff people throw away and wanted "secondhand to become first class".

Other award categories announced on the night included the Community Action Award, Innovation Award, and Creativity Award. Commenting on the Awards, Sir Trevor said: "What I have found incredibly encouraging, through my association with Future Friendly, is that it really is those of us at a grassroots level who are the driving force behind this crucial campaign to lead a more sustainable life."

Future Friendly is a Procter and Gamble initiative which brings together leading sustainability experts – Waste Watch, the Energy Saving Trust, Global Cool and Waterwise – and household brands Ariel, Fairy, Lenor and Flash which aim to cut the use of water, energy and packaging.

For more information about Future Friendly and the award winners visit www.futurefriendly.co.uk