For the past 3 years the SCRC has run an annual awards programme for local government awarding councils for best practice in steel can recycling. The awards have been positively received by councils and entries are have been consistent and of good quality.

However, after a review by the SCRC it has been decided to run the awards every other year to give councils setting up new programmes an opportunity to see some results coming through. It will also give councils with existing schemes and programmes time to track year on year progress.

Click here to register your interest for "Challenge 2005" or to download the entry form.

The next awards presentation will therefore take place in 2005. The month and format is yet to be confirmed so watch this space for more details.

In the meantime though, the SCRC will be collecting data about tonnages of steel cans from councils across Australia who recycle steel cans. This will help create a baseline figure to determine how councils compare and for their size and location where they should be. With a current recycling rate of 44% nationwide and 98% access to Steel Can Recycling there is scope for considerable improvement and the SCRC is keen to work with councils to get the steel can recycling rate up by at least 10%. Says Joe Stefano, Chair of the SCRC - 'we've awarded good practice in the past - future awards will be about significant increases in steel can recycling as well as good practice and the $10,000 study trip will remain as the carrot!"

2005 Best Practice Awards - Your chance to be the next winner

SIMPLY FOLLOW OUR SIX TOP TIPS

• Determine your Council's steel can recycling rate
• Tailor education programs specifically to Steel Can Recycling
• Carry out bin and awareness audits
• Reward householders for their recycling efforts
• Provide evidence of the positive impact your programs are having on SCR
• For more information call the Steel Can Hotline on 1800 073 713

2003 Awards Winners and Finalists

Three NSW Councils, Canterbury, Penrith and Port Stephens, have showed excellence in steel can recycling and have been awarded the coveted Steel Can Recycling Council's Best Practice Awards. Announced on Sunday 23rd November at the ALGA National Congress in Canberra, Canterbury City Council are this year's overall winners showing significant increases in their steel recovery rates.

Find out more about the 2003 award winners

Background

The Best Practice Awards celebrate the efforts of our often unrecognised local government waste educators and managers who yearly increase the amount of steel packaging their Council collects and recycles.

First prize in this coveted Award is a study trip for two staff members to either Europe or the US, to a maximum value of A$10,000. The trip will incorporate a relevant conference and include at least one visit to either a local council or waste facility where innovative practices can be demonstrated.

To read about the winner and finalists in the 2002 and 2001 Best Practice Awards check out their case studies. Also, visit News for press clippings about their high achievements.

For those councils who wanted to know more about how to improve their recycling services, and gain assistance with their submission to the Best Practice Awards, the Steel Can Recycling Council ran a series of informative Half Day Conferences.