A RECYCLING collection crew from West Devon were crowned champions in the recent Recycle Devon ‘Thank you’ awards.

The West Devon Borough Council collection crew Round 4 was announced as the winner of the People’s Choice Hero category of the awards.

This event was the sixth Recycle Devon Thank You Awards held at County Hall and hosted by Matt and Victoria from Heart Radio’s breakfast show.

The awards recognise people who, under the radar, do that bit extra to help ensure Devon remains clean and green. Recycle Devon is a partnership of ten councils, including Devon County Council, eight district authorities and Torbay Council.

As in previous years, residents nominated their ‘recycling superhero’ in categories that included community groups, businesses and individual heroes. Recycle Devon then shortlisted the nominations and picked category runners-up and winners.

The public were also asked to directly vote for their recycling hero — they could choose any of the nominees, regardless if they won a category or not.

Nearly 900 votes were cast and West Devon Borough Council Round 4 crew won a third of the vote.

Devon County Council’s principal waste manager Annette Dentith said: ‘Congratulations to West Devon Borough Council’s collection crew and all the winners and runners-up. And thank you to everyone who was nominated and shortlisted — you are all inspirational.

‘It’s thanks to you and your passion for recycling that 54 percent of Devon’s household rubbish is recycled and makes Devon one of the top recycling counties.’

All winners and runners-up received special hand decorated Recycle Devon awards, upcycled from glass carafes and jars. The People’s Choice Champions received an aluminium dish.