ERPC Seeks Award Nominees

Paper recyclers are being encouraged to apply for the second set of European Paper Recycling

Awards being presented by the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC), Brussels.

“Recycling is increasingly a part of our daily lives and by playing a part in recycling, society

can help secure Europe’s sustainability for the future,” says explains Phil Mogel, chairman of the ERPC. “Paper recycling contributes positively to combating climate change, waste prevention and resource efficiency and helps drive ecodesign of paper products, all of which are key elements of European environmental policies.”

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The two award categories, according to the group, are for campaigns or initiatives centered on 1) Information & Education; and 2) Technology improvement and R&D.

Eligible projects, initiatives or campaigns will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

•         relevance and originality;

•         achievements;

•         possibility to reproduce the project; and

•         cost effectiveness.

The initiatives may be ongoing or completed, but they must already have started, says the group, although not before January 2005. All entries must be submitted by Friday, July 31, 2009.

An independent jury from across Europe will judge the entries in each category, according to a news release from the ERPC. The jury includes representatives from the European institutions as well as civic organizations and NGOs.

European-wide recognition of the winning candidate’s efforts will be accompanied by an original piece of paper artwork, which will be officially handed over to the winners in an award ceremony at the European Parliament in Brussels.

“We encourage not only companies but all kinds of organizations working with paper recycling to apply with their projects,” says adds Jori Ringman, Secretary of the ERPC. “Among last years’ winners, for example, we had a French high school, a German paper manufacturer and a Spanish association.”

More information on the awards and the entry process can be found at www.paperrecovery.eu.