The Creating the Greenest County Awards are looking for this year's Hero, someone who is doing great things for the environment on the Shotley peninsula.

Nominations are open online and close on 4 February 2024, with winners announced at an event to be held on 27 March 2024, at The Hold in Ipswich. 

The awards, organised by Suffolk County Council, recognise the incredibly valuable environmental work that is being done throughout Suffolk, by bringing people together, sharing ideas and inspiring one another.

Last year's Hero was Jason Alexander, founder of Rubbish Walks and curator of the UK's first vintage litter museum, who said: "Winning the Suffolk Hero Award has been such a wonderful experience and definitely been a highlight of an amazing year. I've had the good fortune to meet countless numbers of like-minded people doing fantastic work across the county.

Jason Alexander and beach clean volnuteers at the Strand (Picture: Nub News)

"Being voted Suffolk Hero has definitely had a positive impact on my work and I'm so grateful for being part of such a wonderful initiative."

The Hero is the only award for which both the nominees and the winners are chosen by the public.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, said:"Jason was a very worthy winner of last year's Hero award, we're very lucky to have committed people like him in Suffolk. Now we're looking for our next hero!

"Across Suffolk there are people and organisations, like the council, working hard to drive down energy bills and protect our environment, countryside and wildlife. But it's a collective effort, no single person or business can do it all themselves.

"These awards give us all the chance to celebrate these people and inspire each other to keep protecting and enhancing Suffolk's environment. Please do visit the website and tell us about your hero, business or school that are doing great things."

In all, eight awards will celebrate those who are protecting Suffolk's environment and reducing their carbon emissions:

• Waste Reduction and Recycling Award
• Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscape Award 
• Business Award
• Small Business Award
• Community Award
• Hero Award (People's Choice award)
• School Award
• Tourism Award

This year, nominations for those working in agriculture and farming are particularly welcome.

Nominations for all awards can be submitted online at www.greensuffolk.org/awards