Master composter in environment awards final

Master Composter Sarah Blenkinsop from Ledbury is through to the final of the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) Awards for Environmental Excellence being held later this month in the category for Individual Recycling Champion of the Year.

These awards are intended to recognise the personal contribution of people outside the waste and resource management industry in encouraging the public to take part in managing resources and reducing or recycling waste.

Judges are particularly looking for individuals who show leadership, imagination and innovation because they believe in more sustainable lifestyle.

Herefordshire Council, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, runs a Master Composters scheme which involves volunteers throughout the two counties giving up their time to promote home composting and sharing their knowledge with residents.

Master Composters have been spreading the word about composting through a variety of activities, including visiting schools, attending local events, carrying out compost bin inspections for friends and neighbours, giving talks to local groups and holding composting roadshows.

Since April 2006 Sarah has devoted more than 225 hours to promoting composting across the two counties, significantly more than the suggested number of 30 hours per year. She has shown innovation and a massive level of self-motivation to organise her own promotional activities.

During her time as a Master Composter, Sarah has spread the composting message to a large number of people, with a particular focus on work with her local school, Ashperton Primary in Ledbury. She has aimed to ensure that every single pupil knows what compost is, how to make it and what to do with the finished product.

When Sarah is not busy at school she doesn't forget about composting. None of her friends are safe and they often get engaged in conversations about composting, over lunch.

Sarah has also supported Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council at their promotional events such as The Malvern Spring Gardening Show, Three Counties Show, Composting Clinics and composting roadshows held throughout the two counties. Sarah has also arranged and run a composting roadshow of her own at Somerfield in Ledbury.

Viktoria Salisbury, project development officer for composting, said: "Our Master Composters are highly valued in our composting promotions and they all show massive enthusiasm.

"Sarah, in particular has shown a great commitment to the scheme since it began in 2006 and because of this we felt it appropriate to put her forward for this award.

"We are very excited to have one of our volunteers get through to the finals of the awards and we are looking forward to attending the award ceremony at the end of October and hopefully winning the award for the category."

The winner will be announced at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London, on Wednesday, October 31. The ceremony is being hosted by BBC presenter Sophie Raworth.