The Global Recycling Foundation has announced the ten winners of the Recycling Heroes 2024 award to mark the seventh Global Recycling Day, 18 March 2024.  This year, Nicola Jones, Tata Steel UK’s Manager – Steel Packaging Recycling, was the only UK recipient of the award.

The Global Recycling Foundation supports the promotion of recycling, and the recycling industry, across the world to showcase its vital role in preserving the future of the planet.

Nicola’s award recognises her dedication to promoting the recycling of steel packaging over the course of her 25-year career at Tata Steel UK.  As a member of many advisory and strategic working groups, she has used her expertise to shape recycling and packaging policy and regulation throughout the UK. Nicola developed the education programme for Tata Steel that delivers workshops to schools, colleges and universities focuses on recycling for sustainability.

“I’m honoured to be selected as one of the recipients of the Recycling Hero Award, a testament to the dedication and passion we all share for sustainable practices,” comments Nicola.

“The steel recycling landscape has changed dramatically over the last two decades.  In 1998, the steel recycling rate was 25 percent, yet this has now tripled to over 75 percent.  This significant increase is no accident but the result of substantial investment in both collection and recycling infrastructure and public education on the benefits of recycling to the planet.”

The recipients were selected for their sustained efforts to promote the value of recycling from nominations received from individuals, business leaders, sole traders, multinationals.

Ranjit Baxi, founding president of the Global Recycling Foundation, said: “This year’s list of Recycling Heroes should be a cause for celebration…it demonstrates the enthusiasm and ingenuity of our winners…” 

Nicola concludes: “I’d like to thank the panel for choosing me as one of the winners from across the globe and this acknowledgement highlights how we are delivering on our collective commitment to environmental stewardship. May we all continue to fly the flag for a sustainable future.”