It's official: Three Rivers recycling crew is best in UK

If you live in Three Rivers, the crew who collect your household's recycling could be the national Crew of the Year!

On Thursday October 16, crew members Tom Harris, Darren Aaron and Martin Rolls were awarded the coveted Recycling Crew of the Year Award at the Let'sRecycle.com award ceremony, at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair.

A recent MORI survey showed that public satisfaction with recycling in Three Rivers is much higher than the national average, with 86% of respondents being satisfied. As the frontline 'faces' of recycling services throughout the District, the collection crews play a key role in this high satisfaction score. Tom, Darren and Martin have 12 years worth of collective experience serving the Three Rivers community. They were the only crew to not take one sick day between them for the whole of last year.

Recent consultation with residents and Customer Service Centre records show Tom, Darren and Martin to also be the crew who received the most individual compliments about their service. Remarks from residents include how cheery they are when they collect, how they have resolved issues with householders there and then and how neatly the boxes are replaced. One Croxley Green resident said:

"Wonderful service from my recycling crew, my boxes are always returned neatly and I would like my thanks passed on to the crew concerned."

Councillor Phil Brading, Portfolio Holder for Public Services and Health at the District Council, congratulates Tom, Darren and Martin for their achievement:

"Tom's crew has gone that extra mile to ensure the recycling service we offer continues to be well received by residents and that we continue to increase our recycling rate year on year. We are delighted that Tom, Darren and Martin have been recognised for their friendly and efficient service with this award; it is very well deserved. We are proud of all our waste and recycling collectors, who do a demanding job in all weathers to provide an excellent service to Three Rivers residents."

Three Rivers District Council had a high recycling rate of 47% for 2007/8; the highest in Hertfordshire and already in excess of Government targets set for 2010.