Rising star Tia wins National Recycling Award

17 December 2021

Tia Willis, who is part of North Northamptonshire Council’s refuse crew in East Northants, took away the top prize in her category at the National Recycling Awards.

During the ceremony in London in early December Tia Willis, who has been a member of the team since she was 18, picked up the ‘Rising Star’ award for going above and beyond during the pandemic.

The judges commented that Tia was an amazing person who really stood out from the pack and a truly positive person who is an excellent representative for the industry.

I love my job and I really enjoy meeting the public and helping them to recycle, as a key worker, but never did I think I would win an award for doing something that I love. And it is not just any award, the National Recycling Awards’ Rising Star! I was totally blown away and so proud to go up on stage and be presented with my trophy. But this award is not just for me, its for the whole of the team I work with who all work every bit as hard to serve the residents of North Northamptonshire.Tia Willis

Throughout the pandemic, Tia has worked hard always with a smile on her face and the whole team have continued to provide a service for residents in North Northants. She also is always keen to go one step further for some residents and recently the team decorated the waste truck for one of North Northants’ youngest resident’s birthday who enjoys seeing the bin lorry visit his street.

All of our bin crews have worked so hard throughout the pandemic and I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single one of them. Tia always goes above and beyond. I know she loves her job, which she does with a smile on her face and taking time to speak to residents - this award is well deserved for her commitment and enthusiasm and I was privileged to watch her collect it at the ceremony. She should be extremely proud of herself, as I and the rest of her team are. Well done!Cllr Graham Lawman, NNC’s Executive Member, for Highways, Travel and Assets

This is such great news for us, and for Tia. We are so proud of the work the teams do every day to serve residents across our local communities. I cannot congratulate Tia enough.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northants Council

What a fantastic result and it was a real pleasure to attend the ceremony and watch Tia’s face light up when her dedication and hard work was recognised by the whole waste and recycling sector. I would like to thank Tia and her hundreds of colleagues within our business for their huge efforts at all times.Chief Executive for FCC Environment Group (who operate the contract in East Northants on behalf of NNC) Paul Taylor

The results of the National Recycling Awards were revealed on 8 December in a ceremony where over 500 of the recycling sector’s leading lights came together in-person, for the first time since June 2019 to celebrate the industry’s achievements.

With 16 categories, the awards cover every aspect of the recycling and waste management industry, from Food Waste Initiative to Recycling Excellence. 

The MRW National Recycling Awards bring together recycling and waste management professionals to recognise and celebrate best practice and innovation in recycling and waste management. The awards provide industry recognition and unrivalled networking opportunities.