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AWARD RESULTS
NERF AWARDS 2025
Huge congratulations to the winners of the NERF Awards 2025!
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When the NERF Executive Team reflected on last year’s 35th Anniversary Conference, one of the takeaways was just how much change is happening in the waste sector, and how much innovation this breeds.
Something which we have in buckets in the North East! And the NERF Executive Team wanted to celebrate that.
The standard of entries was incredibly high, and it gave the judging panel a truly difficult job! Every shortlisted project and individual demonstrates how our sector is not just managing waste, but reimagining it as a resource, building resilience, and inspiring positive change in our communities.
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View the winners and shortlist for each award below.
Best Reuse Initiative
Recognising outstanding initiatives that transform waste into valuable resources, promoting reuse and sustainability in the region.
The shortlist:
Durham County Council - WINNER
North Tyneside Council
Suez Recycling & Recovery UK
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Best Campaign
Celebrating powerful campaigns that drive awareness, behaviour change and lasting impact in waste and recycling.
The shortlist:
Newcastle City Council - WINNER
Northumberland County Council
Groundwork North East & Cumbria
South Tyne & Wear Waste Management Partnership
Best Waste Minimisation
Spotlighting innovations and practices that minimise waste and champion circular economy thinking in the North East.
REfUSE CIC - WINNER
Bio Capital and CDDFT
Durham County Council
Bio Capital and NUTH
Bio Capital and NHCT
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Newcomer of the Year
Celebrating promising new entrants in the waste, recycling and resources sector, who are at the beginning of their careers.
Dr Oktay Cetinkaya, Newcastle University - WINNER
Harry Tomlinson, GAP Group NE
Rebecca Wilson, Newcastle City Council
Nathan Lowrey, GAP Group NE
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