Steve Irwin, Senior Materials & Engineering Manager at Cheshire West Recycling, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Environment 100 Awards, recognising his work to create employment opportunities for veterans, care leavers, apprentices and young people with additional needs.
The Environment 100 Awards celebrate individuals making a significant impact across the UK’s environmental sector, recognising leaders, innovators and those helping to drive positive change.
Steve has played a leading role in developing practical employment pathways at CWR, helping people who may otherwise face barriers to entering or sustaining employment.
Originally introduced in 2024, CWR’s social value activity was established to support local people, strengthen the local economy and contribute towards a more sustainable future for the borough. Steve has helped build on this by bringing colleagues and departments together to turn these ambitions into practical opportunities within the organisation.
As a former member of the Armed Forces, Steve understands the importance of structure, teamwork and belonging when moving into a new chapter of life. This experience has shaped his commitment to supporting veterans into civilian employment, while also informing his wider approach to creating supportive working environments where people are given encouragement, stability and the opportunity to succeed.
Steve has also championed apprenticeships as a route into skilled employment and a way of developing the skills CWR needs for the future. Alongside this, he has helped establish pathways for care leavers and young people with additional needs through supported internships, providing valuable workplace experience, confidence and transferable skills.
These initiatives form part of CWR’s wider social value ‘Elevate Programme’, which has generated more than £130 million in social value to date.
Through his commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities, Steve is helping CWR build a more inclusive, resilient and skilled workforce. His work demonstrates how environmental services can deliver lasting social and economic value alongside their core operations, creating positive outcomes for both individuals and the wider community.
The winners of the Environment 100 Awards will be announced at a recognition ceremony at ESS Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 17th September 2026.
