Bristol Waste sponsors the Sustainability Award at Bristol Legends

We’re proud to be sponsoring the sustainability award at next year’s Bristol 24/7 Legends celebration, recognising the organisations, communities and individuals who are driving change for a greener and fairer Bristol.

Bristol Legends Celebration

Bristol Legends is a city-wide celebration recognising the remarkable people, businesses and community initiatives of Bristol, using documentary films, performances and an awards evening to honour creativity, resilience, sustainability and local spirit.

The event (presented by Bristol24/7) will take place on 6 March 2026 at Ashton Gate Stadium and is running in partnership with AntiBanquet, combining efforts to raise vital funds for social impact projects — particularly those tackling food insecurity and supporting independent journalism in Bristol.

Bristol Legends will be celebrating a series of categories:

• Business & Technology
• Community
• Sustainability
• Visual Arts
• Food and Drink
• Sport
• Performing Arts
• Music
• Bristol Legend – “one remarkable individual who has demonstrated heroism or made significant contributions entirely on their own initiative”

Why we’re sponsoring:

A commercial service with sustainability at its heart

The award is being sponsored by Bristol Waste’s Commercial Services arm, which provides waste, recycling, cleaning and security services to over 700 organisations across the city – from major institutions like Triodos Bank, UWE Bristol and We The Curious, through to restaurants, shops and smaller local businesses.

Alex Schwarz, Commercial Growth Manager at Bristol Waste Company, said: “Our commercial services are designed not only to be cost-effective and reliable, but also to help our customers meet their own sustainability goals. We work with so many varied businesses and individuals in Bristol, we want to make sure they have a chance to be recognised for their efforts towards Bristol’s sustainability goals.”

Wasting nothing – the reuse and recycling mission

Central to Bristol Waste’s sustainability vision is a commitment to wasting nothing. Our IT Reuse scheme, for example, gives older laptops, phones and other tech a second life. Donated devices are securely wiped, refurbished where necessary, and then distributed to charities, community groups and individuals facing digital poverty.

We also run Reuse Shops at our Household Reuse and Recycling Centres in Hartcliffe Way, Avonmouth and St Philips. These shops have become treasure troves of pre-loved furniture, electricals, bikes and more. As of September 2025, we’ve diverted more than 350,000 items from waste.

Working with partners to innovate

Sustainability at Bristol Waste is about more than recycling – it’s about collaboration and innovation. Over the past year, we have worked with many partners on successful pioneering initiatives, including:

• Pura Nappicycle: recycling over 150,000 disposable nappies in Bristol.
• Podback: collecting over 500,000 coffee pods at our collection points at our Household Reuse and Recycling Centres.
• The Big Tidy: supporting community and businesses to collect over 7,787 bags of litter in 2024.
• Students on the Move: helping manage end-of-term waste and reuse opportunities in student housing areas.

These initiatives are just a snapshot of how we are tackling waste from multiple angles and encouraging Bristol residents and businesses to join us on the journey.

Celebrating Bristol’s sustainability champions

Sarah Burns, Sustainability and Engagement Manager at Bristol Waste Company and Bristol Legends panellist member, said:
“Bristol Waste is committed to making Bristol safer, cleaner, and more sustainable. As a company rooted in the heart of the city, it is vital that we play our part in shining a light on the businesses, communities and individuals that are making a difference. Sponsoring the sustainability award at Bristol 24/7’s Bristol Legends is one way we can celebrate their efforts while also reaffirming our own commitment to reducing waste, protecting resources, and creating social value for the people of Bristol.”

Bristol is already England’s number one core city for recycling, but we know there is still more to do. Sponsoring this sustainability award allows us to recognise the incredible work already being done, while inspiring more people and organisations to champion sustainability in their own way.

By growing our commercial arm, we are also helping to reduce costs for Bristol City Council – freeing up vital funds for services across the city.

You can find out more about Bristol 24/7’s Bristol Legends celebration and how to nominate an individual or business here.