News Item (09-10-2009)

The team behind Bearsted Woodland Trust in Maidstone are celebrating after winning two prestigious environmental awards at the annual Biffaward Awards 2009. The awards celebrated the achievements of environmental projects from across the country and recognised the everyday heroes who gave so much to deliver them. Held in the splendour of the Royal Hall in Harrogate, the Bearsted Woodland Trust not only won their own category but outclassed 19 other projects to be crowned the overall Biffaward project of the year. Bearsted Woodland Trust was presented with a trophy and a cheque for £7000, a substantial cash boost for their facility.

Biffaward is managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services. Since 1997, Biffaward has awarded over £100 million in funding to hundreds environmental and community projects across the UK.

The award followed a £48,685 grant from Biffaward which helped The Bearsted Woodland Trust increase access to Bearsted Woodland site. This was done by the construction of an access-for-all track, steps and the installation of a bridge, extending the range of people able to use the site.

On receiving the prize, Bernard Head, Trustee of the Bearsted Woodland Trust commented, "We're obviously thrilled, and a little overwhelmed, to have received such a great award. It's taken hundreds of volunteers a lot of hard work but the woodland is now truly accessible for all local residents. It offers a place of relaxation as well as exercise for all and we're so excited that all the effort has been recognised. We owe a lot to Biffaward and are honoured to accept this award."

Gillian French, Programme Manager for Biffaward, commented, "The Biffaward Awards are a celebration of the outstanding Biffaward-funded projects and the commitment and determination shown by their project co-ordinators. The Bearsted Woodland Trust beat stiff competition to win this coveted award and the thoroughly deserve to be crowned winners. Their project shows how truly important our natural environment is to our communities and Biffaward are proud to have been able to support its improvements."

In 1997 Biffa Waste Services agreed to donate landfill tax credits to the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) to administer under the fund name Biffaward. Grants made from the fund currently amount to £100 million, supporting many worthwhile projects.

Biffa Waste Services Limited is one of the largest single suppliers of waste management services in the UK. It collects, treats, recovers and disposes of municipal, commercial and industrial waste nationwide.  It is ultimately owned by a private equity consortium comprising Montagu Private Equity, Global Infrastructure Partners, Uberior Co-Investments Limited and other co-investors.

The landfill tax came into operation in 1996.  Its purpose is to reflect the impact of landfill on the environment and also to help achieve the targets for more sustainable waste management.  The tax, levied on the tonnage of all material disposed of in landfill sites and collected by Biffa on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs, aims to encourage recycling and reduce waste by raising the cost of disposal.

The regulations allow landfill site operators to direct approximately 6% of the tax they have collected towards approved environmental projects. However, any approved project can only receive 90% of its desired funding from the landfill tax. The remainder must come direct from the landfill site operator or from a third party organisation or company.