RAF Brize Norton News

Sergeant Ryan Duffy Wins Individual Achievement Sanctuary Award for his Plastic Free Brize Initiatives

It was announced, on 16 March, that Sergeant Ryan Duffy has won the Individual Achievement Sanctuary Award. Over the course of two years, Sergeant Ryan Duffy has been on a personal mission to drive down the consumption of single-use plastics at RAF Brize Norton. Starting with his personal area of responsibility, his initiatives have grown to encompass the whole force at RAF Brize Norton and beyond.

Sergeant Ryan Duffy Wins Individual Achievement Sanctuary Award for his Plastic Free Brize Initiatives
Sergeant Ryan Duffy Wins Individual Achievement Sanctuary Award for his Plastic Free Brize Initiatives

‘Plastic Free Brize’ was the ambitious vision of Sergeant Duffy. Whilst undertaking his role as an instructor at the Defence Movements Training School, he noticed that most students were consuming drinks from single use plastics. He set about changing the mindset of not only his students, but peers and superiors alike.

This was to be the catalyst for an important cultural change across the Station. Numerous other single use plastic initiatives began to evolve due to the infectious enthusiasm of Sergeant Duffy. As a consequence, Sergeant Duffy’s work lead to the RAF Brize Norton Sustainability Working Group being established.

Sergeant Duffy has been the key interlocutor in committing RAF Brize Norton to reduce its single use plastic footprint. This has delivered significant cultural change whilst furthering the Defence commitment to conservation and sustainability. It is hoped his skillset can be utilised to spread this awareness and create a cultural change across the entire Service.

Sergeant Duffy said:

"Plastic is an immediate global issue that we can resolve, starting in your own home and workplace. I saw that I could make a difference in my workplace and once the momentum had begun I wanted to make further changes on Station. I'm really proud to win this award as it's something I am so passionate about."

Sergeant Duffy
Defence Movements Training School

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