Members of staff at Shipley-based Aire Valley Recycling have passed their National Vocational Qualification level two in Waste Management Operations.

The 11-strong team studied a range of areas including quality of service, health and safety, team work and understanding waste.

The company has said it represents the first formal qualification they have ever received, while one worker, who has Asperger’s syndrome, benefited from additional learning support. AVR chairman John Robinson said: “We are very proud of the staff who have achieved this award and feel sure that it will enhance their work performance and improve their understanding of the waste industry.”

AVR is a not-for-profit social enterprise which collects paper, cans, glass, plastic bottles, juice cartons and textiles and shoes from about 17,000 harder-to-reach households in and around Keighley and the Aire Valley on behalf of Bradford Council.