County's greenest resident is from Stratford!
CATHERINE Haynes, from from Upper Quinton in Stratford-on-Avon, is Warwickshire’s Recycling Champion of the Year 2018.
She was crowned after a live final at Warwick’s Market Hall Museum.
Five finalists, from each district and borough in the county, took part in a live quiz to test their knowledge of local recycling processes in Warwickshire.
Catherine was named the winner after four rounds of questions, winning a two-night staycation at the Coombe Abbey Hotel, courtesy of Shakespeare’s England.
The Warwickshire Recycling Champion of the Year 2018 contest was run by the Warwickshire Waste Partnership and Local Green Points to recognise local champions in each of the county’s five districts before crowning an overall winner.
To enter the contest residents needed to be signed up to the Slim Your Bin campaign.
The second stage was a series of ‘bin slimming’ challenges focusing on wasting less and recycling more, such as putting the right thing in the right bin and minimising food waste.
Catherine said: “Knowing I’m Warwickshire Recycling Champion of the Year 2018 makes me absolutely burst with pride - it is only just sinking in!
"I was also overwhelmed to receive so many wonderful prizes, especially the stay at Coombe Abbey which will be such treat - I'm just so excited!
"Taking part in Slim Your Bin is such a stimulating challenge to waste less and recycle more, it is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of recycling and how vital it is for a sustainable world."
The four runners-up also received prizes, and were able to choose from a range of tickets to local tourist attractions, including the British Motor Museum, brewery tour vouchers from Purity Beer and a guided visit to Stratford Butterfly Museum, all kindly donated by members of Shakespeare’s England.
All finalists also received a choice of water butt or compost converter plus a year’s supply of compostable food caddy liners.
Cllr Jeff Clarke, portfolio holder for transport and environment at Warwickshire County Council, said: “It is fantastic to see we have so many enthusiastic local recycling champions in Warwickshire.
"It’s important for us to acknowledge the achievements of our residents and raise the profile of recycling in the county. The finalists did incredibly well and should all be proud of what they’ve achieved.
"I look forward to seeing how the Warwickshire Recycling Champion of the Year contest and the Slim Your Bin campaign will continue to spread enthusiasm for recycling and raise awareness of its importance in our local communities.”
