Ken Forbes, Banbridge District Council’s Director of Environmental Services, was awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to local government in Northern Ireland.

Banbridge Council Chairman, Councillor Patrick McAleenan, commented:  ‘ With 42 years service of working in local government, I can think of no-one more deserving of this award than Ken. He has contributed to the success of many key environmental projects within the Banbridge District, and he is an excellent example to other local government workers of what can be achieved when working for the interests of the local community and delivering a high standard of service excellence.’

Under his leadership, the Council has met Government recycling targets well ahead of schedule. He has demonstrated vision and expertise in developing a waste management strategy for the SWAMP region, one of the three sub-regional council groupings that have been established for the purposes of waste planning.

He is also a former Chair of the CIWM Northern Ireland Centre.

Eric Randall, Director of Recycling at Bryson House Recycling, has been awarded the MBE for services to waste management in Northern Ireland.

Launched in 1993, Bryson House Recycling provides a community recycling service to homes, schools and offices. Over the past year its kerbside recycling service has nearly doubled in size. Eric has a leading role in developing what has grown to become one of Northern Ireland’s largest recycling initiatives.

He is also a member of the Northern Ireland Waste Management Advisory Board.