David Gudgeon is the Head of External Affairs at Reconomy, leading strategic engagement across government, industry, and key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and drive meaningful policy outcomes. With a career rooted in effective advocacy and relationship‑building, David brings a clear focus on connecting organisational priorities with the wider environmental and regulatory landscape. He works closely with partners to shape discussions on resource efficiency and circular economy solutions, ensuring evidence-based decision making remains at the forefront. David is committed to championing practical, forward‑thinking approaches that support both innovation and long-term sustainability across the sector.”

Mike joined BaxterStorey in 2001 as an Operations Manager and began leading the company’s sustainability agenda in 2006. Since 2012, he has focused solely on ESG across the WSH portfolio. An MSc graduate in Corporate Environmental Management, Mike supports science-based climate action and sector collaboration. He is a WRAP Guardians of Grub Ambassador, ISEP Fellow, Chartered Environmentalist, and a certified sustainability trainer

Winnow develops Artificial Intelligence tools to help chefs run more profitable, sustainable kitchens by cutting food waste in half. Trusted by thousands of chefs in almost 100 countries, Winnow is helping businesses like IKEA, Compass Group, Accor and Hilton save $100m a year via waste reduction. David is a marketing and communications professional of over 20 years working with brands like The Guardian, American Express and NGOs like Oxfam and WaterAid.

Wayne Koeckeritz is a Senior Waste Management Consultant with Vegware and resides in Bristol while covering the West and Southwest of England. In this role he helps to implement Zero Waste programs, conduct waste audits and analysis, provide compostable product information and education, and connect collectors and composters with end users. Prior to joining Vegware in the spring of 2026, he worked in a similar role in the US for their sister company, Eco-Products, since 2018 and before that owned and operated a food waste collection business for over 6 years in Charleston, South Carolina.

Justin is Sustainability Director at Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division, where he works with supply chains and customers to develop more sustainable systems across both reusable and disposable packaging, helping organisations meet their sustainability targets and navigate areas such as the Green Claims Code and the complex legislative landscape.

He is also a Director at the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA), where he contributes to industry discussions on packaging legislation, recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility, and the role of reuse in the UK foodservice sector.

Justin believes progress comes from collaboration across the value chain, supporting innovation, and focusing on practical, scalable solutions.

• This category focuses on recycling and upcycling projects and initiatives in either the public or private sector.
• The entry must demonstrate the use of effective solutions to embrace waste prevention, reuse and recycling and how waste prevention/reuse and recycling has been embedded into business practice.
• The project must demonstrate change that has been delivered, including data and evidence of impact where possible.
• The entry has to outline the initiative, measurable deliverables and how the initiative could set an example to the wider community.

• This category focuses specifically on initiatives that have yielded impressive results in preventing food waste in hospitality and foodservice operational settings.
• The entry must clearly demonstrate how the creation of waste has been avoided and include data and evidence of impact (e.g. weight, cost, carbon). Entries should indicate whether food waste measurement was undertaken, which waste streams were measured (e.g. prep, plate, spoilage, meat) and describe the measurement approach, findings, actions taken and the results of these actions.
• Where relevant, entries should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as staff engagement or positive customer feedback.
• Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to the project’s success.
• Entrants must demonstrate how processes have been re-thought and/or redesigned, plus any changes in purchasing and work in the supply chain, as well as at an operational level.

• This category focuses specifically on initiatives that have yielded impressive results in preventing non-food waste.
• The entry must clearly demonstrate how the creation of waste has been avoided and include data and evidence of impact (e.g. cost, weight, carbon, time, material reduction). Where relevant, it should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as staff engagement or positive customer feedback.
• Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to the project’s success.
• The entry must demonstrate how processes have been re-thought and/or redesigned, plus any changes in purchasing and work in the supply chain, as well as at an operational level.

• This category focuses on the execution of the most effective communications and stakeholder engagement strategy as part of a waste and resources project.
• Entrants must clearly demonstrate who was targeted and why.
• Entrants must provide details on how the project was executed, and how the campaign affected cultural and behavioural change.
• Entrants should include data and evidence of impact where possible.
• Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.

• This category focuses on initiatives of effective and innovation food redistribution projects.
• Entrants must provide details on the project objectives, as well as details on how the project was executed.
• Entrants must demonstrate an environmental and social impact of their food redistribution projects, providing as much data and evidence as possible (e.g. meals saved, people fed, costs, carbon).
• Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.
• If relevant, entries should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as community involvement.

• This category is open to any waste management, recycling, or resource efficiency project that has delivered significant and quantifiable reductions in the amount of waste generated and furthered the circular economy by the closing of loops in the supply chain and operations.
• The category focuses on projects that have not just mitigated waste levels and have delivered broader financial and competitive benefits, but have also helped to engage employees with circular economy issues.
• Entrants must provide details on the project objectives, as well as details on how the project was executed.
• Entrants should include data and evidence of impact where possible.
• Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.
• If relevant, entries should include detail on other, less tangible impacts, such as staff engagement, positive customer feedback.

• This category specifically focuses on technology that can enable significant waste reduction.
• Entries should be able to demonstrate how the technology will lead to or has led to significant waste reduction.
• This category can be entered by technology businesses that have created waste reduction products or services, as well as organisations that have utilised the technology of others to demonstrably reduce waste.
• The entry must describe the technology, how it can/or has been used, what its impacts are and the benefits delivered, including data and evidence of where possible.
• Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.

• This category focuses on fresh thinking and innovation in foodservice sector waste management to improve resource management, waste prevention, reuse, recycling etc.
• Entrants should be able to demonstrate how good resource management is ingrained into company ethos, and how the company’s resource saving approach has had a tangible impact in its operations/for clients, as well as influencing wider industry.
• Entrants should include data and evidence of impact where possible.
• Where appropriate, the entry should include any relevant details on new approaches/innovations that have contributed to success.

• This category focuses on an individual who has dedicated demonstrable and extraordinary effort to the advancement of the waste agenda in foodservice and the development of more sustainable waste solutions and/or business models.

The 2025 Winners and Highly Commended entries in their chosen categories are as follows.

Best Recycling or Upcycling Project Award
Sponsored by CIWM

Winner: Aggora
Highly Commended: Grupo Avinea

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Notpla
Highly Commended: ESS

Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland
Highly Commended: Fooditude

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award
Sponsored by Compass Group UK & I

Winner: Subway
Highly Commended: Zest Recycle

Food Redistribution Award
Presented by Valpak

Winner: FareShare
Highly Commended: Harper Adams University

Best Closed Loop Project Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Winner: Southern Water
Highly Commended: Sysco with Reconomy Connect

Best Resource Management Business of the Year
Presented by Reconomy Connect

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland
Highly Commended: Aramark UK

The 2024 Winners and Highly Commended entries in their chosen categories are as follows.

Best Recycling or Upcycling Project Award
Sponsored by CIWM

Winner: Bunzl Catering Supplies
Highly Commended: Azzurri Group

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Azzurri Group
Highly Commended: Levy UK

Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Elior
Highly Commended: Eurest

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Winner: Greene King Brewing & Retailing
Highly Commended: Azzurri Group

Food Redistribution Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: KFC UK&I
Highly Commended: Compass Group UK & I

Best Closed Loop Project Award
Sponsored by CERVE

Winner: Nestlé Professional
Highly Commended: Apetito & ISS Healthcare

Best Waste Reduction Technology Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & I

Winner: The Wonki Collective
Highly Commended: Elior

Best Resource Management Business of the Year
Sponsored by Oil Chef

Winner: Zest Recycle
Highly Commended: Eurest

The Special Achievement Award 2024
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Paul Anderson, Meiko UK & I

The 2023 Winners and Highly Commended entries in their chosen categories are as follows.

Best Recycling or Upcycling Project Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Highly Commended: Wagamama

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Gather & Gather at BUPA
Highly Commended: Event Cup Solutions with Meiko UK

Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award
Sponsored by Novati

Winner: Eurest
Highly Commended: Winnow

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Winner: Wrap
Highly Commended: Zest Recycling

Food Redistribution Award
Sponsored by Reconomy

Winner: KFC UK&I
Highly Commended: Amadeus at NEC

Best Closed Loop Project Award
Sponsored by CIWM

Winner: Olleco with Arla Foods
Highly Commended: Grupo Avinea

Best Waste Reduction Technology Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Nestlé UK
Highly Commended: Cauli

Best Resource Management Business of the Year
Sponsored by Compass UK&I

Winner: Novati
Highly Commended: Restaurant Associates

The Special Achievement Award 2023
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Dave Gudgeon, Novati

The 2021 Winners and Runners up in their chosen categories are as follows.

Special Achievement Award 2021

sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial-One at OLIO the #1 Free Sharing App

Best Closed Loop Project

Sponsored by Klöckner Pentaplast

Winner: Compass Ireland

Highly Commended: Chartwells at the University of Sussex

Best Product, Technology and Innovation Award

sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Winner: Bunzl UK & Ireland

Best Recycling Project Award 

sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies

Winner: Aramark UK

Highly Commended: Chartwells at the University of Sussex

Best Waste Management Project Award

sponsored by The Chartered Institution of Waste Management

Winner: Rosewood London with BPR Group

Highly Commended: Aramark UK

Best Waste Prevention Project Award 

sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland

Highly Commended: WRAP

Best Resource Management Business of the Year

supported by SWRnewstar

Winner: Ramco

Highly Commended: Bunzl Catering Supplies

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award

sponsored by Co-Cre8

Winner: Aramark UK

Food Redistribution Award

sponsored by Ramco

Winner: Compass UK & I

Highly Commended: Chartwells at the University of Salford

The 2020 Winners and Runners up in their chosen categories are as follows:

Best Product, Technology and Innovation Award

sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: Shrewsbury Cup

Runner up: Garcon Wines

Best Recycling Project Award (Private Sector)

sponsored by Ramco

Winner: Aramark at SAP Ireland

Runner up: Vegware and Paper Round

Best Waste Management Project Award

sponsored by Klöckner Pentaplast

Winner: City to Sea

Runner up: Brakes and ACM Environmental

Best Practice in Logistics Award

supported by CoCre8

Winner: Fowler Welch

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (Food)

sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: Winnow and ISS

Runner up: Yume Foods

Best Waste Prevention Project Award (Non-Food)

sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland

Runner up: PCRRG (Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group)

Best Resource Management Business of the Year

supported by The Chartered Institution of Waste Management

Winner: Ramco

Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award

sponsored by Winnow

Winner: Klöckner Pentaplast

Runner up: Sodexo UK & Ireland

Food Redistribution Award

sponsored by Klöckner Pentaplast

Winner: Brakes & ACMEnvironmental

Runner up: Olio

Our congratulations to all the finalists. Those receiving the applause were as follows:

BEST WASTE PREVENTION PROJECT AWARD (FOOD)
Sponsored by Klockner Pentaplast

Winner: Compass UK & Ireland
Runner Up: EY with Global Facilities Service Provider

BEST WASTE PREVENTION PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)
Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: Sodexo UK & Ireland
Runner Up: Lexington Catering

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PRIVATE SECTOR)
Sponsored by Huhtamaki

Winner: Brakes
Runner Up: Nestle Professional

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PUBLIC SECTOR)

Winner: Klockner Pentaplast

BEST PRACTICE IN LOGISTICS

Winner: Fowler Welch
Runner Up: Bidfood

FOOD REDISTRIBUTION AWARD

Winner: Innocent Drinks
Runner Up: Fowler Welch

BEST CLOSED LOOP PROJECT AWARD
Sponsored by Winnow

Winner: Vegware
Runner Up: Klockner Pentaplast

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (FOOD)

Winner: Vacherin

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: EY with Global Facilities Service Provider

BEST PRODUCT, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION AWARD

Winner: Panda Packaging
Runner Up: Winnow

BEST WASTE PROJECT COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AWARD
Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: ISS UK
Runner Up: Sodexo UK & Ireland

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner: Andrew Shakman, Leanpath
Runner Up: Peter Goodwin, Simply Cups

Our congratulations to all finalists. Those receiving applause were as follows:

BEST WASTE PREVENTION PROJECT AWARD (FOOD)

Sponsored by kp

Winner: Cranswick

Runner Up: LeanPath

BEST WASTE PREVENTION PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)

Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: Gather & Gather

Runner Up: EY with ISS

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PRIVATE SECTOR)

Sponsored by Leanpath

Winner: KPMG

Runner Up: Café Spice Namaste

BEST RECYCLING PROJECT (PUBLIC SECTOR)

Presented by WRAP

Winner: Bristol Waste Company

Runner Up: kp

RECYCLED OR UPCYCLED PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented by FPA

Winner: James Cropper

FOOD REDISTRIBUTION AWARD

Sponsored by Bunzl

Winner: St.Monica Trust

Runner Up: Cranswick

BEST CLOSED LOOP PROJECT AWARD

Sponsored by Winnow

Winner: Canary Wharf Management

Runner Up: Vegware

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (FOOD)

Sponsored by Bidfood

Winner: LeanPath

Runner Up: BaxterStorey

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT AWARD (NON-FOOD)

Sponsored by Nestlé Professional

Winner: EY with ISS

Runner Up: Vegware

BEST PRODUCT, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION AWARD

Sponsored by RPC-bpi

Winner: Waterscan with Greene King

Runner Up: Colpac

BEST WASTE PROJECT COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AWARD

Sponsored by Coca-Cola European Partners

Winner: ALDI with SWRnewstar

Runner Up: Bristol Waste Company

THE 2018 SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner: Lubna Edwards of kp