Direct Services Manager for Highways, Bridgend County Borough Council

Steve embraces the subject of recycling with unbounded enthusiasm, in his role as the council's Direct Services Manager for Highways.

He is acutely aware of the impact that the highway maintenance service inflicts on the environment. Its consumption of huge quantities of resources, to maintain a 21st century road network, must be balanced against the need to recycle materials and protect our local flora and fauna.

Steve spearheaded an initiative to divert the thousands of tonnes of soil, stone and road-planings, once considered only good enough for landfill. This material is now recycled, blended and reused, saving tens of thousands of pounds in disposal charges and landfill taxes. In six months, over eight thousand tonnes of crushed stone and blended soils were recycled and used for local projects, including landscaping cycle tracks and footways.

Steve and his team recently achieved the coveted level five Green Dragon status. Always conscious of green issues, Steve is developing initiatives to lower energy consumption, fuel usage and reduce the council's carbon footprint.