An innovative waste project in South West Wales has been announced a winner at the Wales National Transport Awards. The scheme, set up as a collaboration between Pembrokeshire County Council with the Port of Milford Haven, has seen around 30,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste exported as fuel annually from across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The waste is processed locally before being exported from Pembroke Port to Sweden for use in a high efficiency power station to produce electricity and heat. The approach diverts waste from landfill, saving each authority £350,000 a year and has created 11 new jobs at Pembroke Dock.

At the Wales National Transport Award ceremony, the project won the Partnership Award presented by Ken Skates AM, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure.

Hosted by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Cymru, the awards are the only scheme to celebrate the achievements of the Welsh transport and logistics sector, rewarding innovation and best practice found in private businesses, public sector organisations and the achievements made by individuals in the industry.

Dr. Andrew Potter, chair of CILT Cymru Wales, said: “This project has achieved environmental and economic goals by treating waste which cannot be recycled to produce usable fuel, driving environmental efficiencies and creating real benefits. A worthy winner which demonstrates the success which can be achieved by working in close partnership.”

Alec Don, chief executive at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Working in collaboration with our local partners and customers is one of our core values as a business. Collaborating with Pembrokeshire County Council has resulted in clear business benefits for both of us. We’re delighted that the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Wales has recognised this.

“At the Port of Milford Haven we’re always keen to explore new projects and have the flexibility to adapt to new industries.”

Also at the Wales National Transport Awards, ABP won the Sustainable Award for its solar array in Barry, South East Wales Bus Funding Project Board won the Passenger Transport Initiative Award and a late night student bus service run by First Cymru with Swansea University and Swansea Students Union winning the Safety Award. Finally, Cardiff Business School student Siqi Shu was presented with the RT Wynn Medallion - a commemorative student award - for her essay about omni-channel management in logistics.