A GWENT factory which is setting new standards for its 'green' philosophy and waste practices is in line for a top national award.

KMEUK Panasonic at Newport has developed a streamlined approach to waste management, ensuring that a huge percentage of its waste is recycled.

Its targets have been so impressive that it has been nominated for the Recycling Target Success category in the National Recycling Awards to be announced in Cardiff next month.

Panasonic makes cordless phones and PBX exchanges at its Duffryn site in Newport. What has become a five-figure a year saving at the plant began when environment department employee Geraldine Deayton created collage paintings based on Monet's Water Lilies out of factory waste.

That was in 1996. Three years later she was given sole charge, as environment officer, of the factory's waste management.

"As well as being able to recycle, we also generate a substantial income from selling the materials," she said. "Times have certainly changed since we first started."

A waste collection system for 'clean' materials - paper, plastic, cardboard, wood and metal - was already in place.

Geraldine decided staff needed motivating to make greater use of colour-coded bins around the factory for waste collection separation.

The company then contacted Scrapstore, a UK-wide charity which uses vast quantities of non-toxic waste which it sells on to schools and playgroups.

One of these was in Manchester - known as Mr Grumpy, the name was adopted at Panasonic.

Within eight months,48 tons of waste had been collected and delivered. Subsequent results have been spectacular.

In 2000-2001 the company made £9,346 and landfill cost savings of £54,252, representing a recycling rate of 91%.

The company has been exceeding its targets, which makes it a favourite for next month's award.

In the current financial year, the target is 90.2%. By as early as August 2002, it was running at 90.53%.

Comedian Dominic Holland - "one of television's quickest wits", according to the Daily Telegraph - is to present the awards.

Hosted by 'Materials Recycling Week', the Awards evening at the Cardiff International Arena provides an annual showcase of achievement, with presentations in 10 categories, each sponsored by a major force in the industry.

A distinguished panel of judges is chaired by Jane Rayner, editor of Materials Recycling Week.

* Pictured is Geraldine Deayton with one of the waste-material collages she made at KMEUK Panasonic which inspired a factory-wide recycling programme