Richard’s Special Award for Environment 2011
- Sep 22, 2011
On Tuesday evening, the much anticipated Virgin Stars of the Year Awards took place at The Roof Gardens in Kensington, to celebrate the work of top performing Virgin employees. Richard Branson was there to announce the winners for each category, including the Special Award for Environment.
Congratulations go to Mel Weymes, Contracts Manager for Virgin Atlantic, who scooped the prize for her outstanding waste reduction work.
Mel has been working with a range of contractors and staff to reduce the environmental impact of chemicals used for cleaning, making compost and everything in between.
Her colleague Ruth Matthews, who nominated her for the award, said that “Mel’s enthusiasm and relentless attitude to finding workable solutions is infectious. She is a great ambassador for Atlantic.”
Reduce
Over the last year Mel has been tireless in her efforts to significantly reduce monthly waste at the non-airport properties. By altering things, like how milk is provided to the office areas, between 2008 and 2010 there was a reduction in waste of around 30%, which is the equivalent of two 747-400 Aircraft worth of rubbish!
Re-use
Mel has also been working with the catering contractors to put in place a range of reusable containers and incentivising staff to use these. Through special offers and awareness campaigns, their restaurants now use one million less disposable items each year.
Recycle
Working with their waste contractor to recycle the more unusual items, such as porridge pots and coffee cups, Mel has played a massive part in diverting waste away from landfill. Across all their sites, they have increased the percentage of total waste recycled from 40% in 2008 to 61% in 2011.
Well done to Mel and everyone at Virgin Atlantic - keep up the good work!
Follow Virgin Atlantic’s efforts at:
Website: www.virgin-atlantic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/virginatlantic
Twitter: @VirginAtlantic
Helen Craig
Images by Tom Oldham
