This year’s Staff Awards ceremony took place at The Spine in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, bringing colleagues together to celebrate the achievements, dedication and impact of staff from across the University.
The afternoon event offered fantastic views across the city and was hosted by University of Liverpool alumna Mairead Smyth, senior reporter and presenter for BBC North West Tonight and Politics North West.
Colleagues were recognised across 18 award categories, including the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Award, which celebrates individuals and teams whose work supports the key ambitions of the University’s Sustainability Strategy 2031.
Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Award
This award celebrates initiatives on campus or within research that support the key ambitions of the University’s Sustainability Strategy. The shortlisted teams and individuals have made a significant contribution to the sustainability agenda, with proven or potential local, national or global impact.
Open to both Professional Services and academic colleagues, the award recognises work that is helping to reduce environmental impact, improve sustainable practices, support innovation and embed sustainability across the University.
Individual winner
Sue MacFarlane
Sue has demonstrated exceptional initiative in reducing campus waste by finding innovative ways to reuse packaging materials. Recognising that sustainable materials like straw and wool were being discarded, Sue built partnerships with local charities and created a system to collect and redistribute these resources. She now supplies straw to animal rescue centres and a pony sanctuary, and crafts wool packaging into cat beds for adoption centres. To date, she has diverted significant waste, including around 120 straw blocks and 22 packs of wool. Her wider recycling efforts and creative reuse projects continue to make a meaningful impact on campus practices.
Sue said: "I wasn’t expecting any of the lovely nominations that I received. And to be recognised for my contribution and receive an award for sustainability is an honour. There are so many different ways that packaging and consumables can and should be re-used and repurposed to help in other areas and avoid landfill. I would like to thank my colleagues for firstly letting me assist in general recycling, then letting me run with ideas."
Commended individuals
Barry Crosbie
Barry has worked diligently to bring together a cross-disciplinary team to develop an innovative solution to a common healthcare challenge. Uniting multiple departments, Barry led the design and production of a valve that converts single-use IV bags into reusable items, reducing costs and environmental impact. The project has been recognised in the Lightbulb Moments exhibition at the Victoria Gallery & Museum, showcasing its significance alongside other leading designs and reinforcing its value as a forward-thinking, environmentally responsible solution.
Professor Rita Goncalves
Rita has shown exceptional commitment to advancing sustainability within the Vet School and wider campus. Drawing on her passion and strong engagement skills, she has implemented significant changes in hospital practices, including improved recycling systems and the use of reusable medical equipment to reduce waste and carbon emissions. Rita has also led biodiversity initiatives - surveying wildlife and developing plans to enhance green spaces in collaboration with partners. She has engaged the campus community through projects such as litter picking and wildlife schemes and introduced sustainable practices in their café.
Team winner
Warpit Recycling Scheme Team
Working in partnership across Property and Campus Services, the Environmental Sustainability team, and Mail and Transport Services have transformed bulky waste management through the launch of Warpit, the University’s internal reuse platform. Warpit enables staff to exchange surplus University furniture, equipment and consumables - reducing waste, preventing unnecessary purchases and supporting a circular economy. With around 1,200 users, 3,500 items listed and 590 transactions, Warpit saved the University over £300k in its first year, preventing over 36 tonnes of waste and more than 136 tonnes of CO2e. The Heavy Gang have been central to supporting the Sustainability team to deliver this initiative by managing storage, listing and redistribution and undertaking PAT testing.
Rhiannon Hunt, Circular Economy Manager said: "I’m absolutely delighted that Sustainability and Mail and Transport– the teams behind Warp It - have been recognised with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability’ Staff Award. Everyone involved has worked tirelessly to establish and scale Warp It into a University-wide reuse platform, redistributing valuable resources and retaining more than £400,000 in value since its launch in February 2025. Special thanks to IT Services for keeping the platform running seamlessly, and to all end users who have embraced Warp It and demonstrated a real sense of stewardship, supporting the University’s transition to a more sustainable model of responsible consumption. We look forward to continuing to build on the success of Warp It and to expand into new use-cases."
Commended teams
LEAF Steering Group
The LEAF Steering Group is commended for its role in implementing the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) across the University, transforming a 2021 pilot into an institutional programme. The team identified, supported and audited 150 laboratories across all faculties, supporting them to embed sustainable laboratory practices and achieving 100% accreditation. Crucially, they went beyond delivery to inspire lasting cultural change, building a community of over 150 staff, developing practical resources, and championing sustainable behaviours that reduce waste and energy use.
Nursing and Tech teams
The nursing and tech teams at the Small Animal and Leahurst Equine Teaching Hospitals have been central to introducing a non-hazardous (“offensive”) waste stream, tackling both environmental impact and costs. They overcame space, safety and compliance challenges by identifying bin locations, adapting existing setups and working closely with Sustainability and Health and Safety colleagues to improve waste segregation. As a result, hazardous clinical waste fell by nearly seven tonnes, cutting emissions by around 5tCO₂e and saving over £3,000. Significantly, there have been no incidents of waste contamination. This achievement highlights the teams’ pivotal role in driving safe, sustainable operational change.
Congratulations to all colleagues recognised in this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Award. Their work highlights the creativity, collaboration and commitment taking place across the University to reduce environmental impact and support positive change.
Find out more
The full shortlist and details of all the winners and commended colleagues on the Staff Awards intranet site.
To learn more about sustainability at the University of Liverpool and how to get involved, visit here.