This year leadership, sustainable practices and commitment to sustainable development goals were the focus of the Banksia Foundation’s 35th national sustainability awards.
Banksia Foundation’s chief executive, Graz van Egmond, said that this year’s winners “demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in developing solutions that harmonise environmental preservation, economic growth, and social responsibility.”
“Their achievements epitomise the potential for businesses and communities to thrive while respecting the delicate balance of our natural world.”
Sustainable leadership within the public sector also seems to be on the rise with agencies Vic Catchments and the ACT Emergency Services Agency awarded.
Notable Banksia Sustainability Award winners:
The Social Outfit, NSW
The sustainable fashion label not only took home awards from the diversity, equity, and inclusion category but also National Banksia Gold Award. The outfit has diverted more than 14 tonnes of fabric from landfills through reuse and trained over 850 women from migrant and refugee backgrounds between 2013 and the end of 2023.
OPENAIR: The Operational Network of Air Quality Impact Resources, NSW
Taking out the Healthy Planet, Healthy People award, OPENAIR allows local governments to access low cost smart sensors to measure air quality and combat air pollution. The free resource aims to combat health problems and premature death caused by bushfires, wood fired heaters, agriculture, transportation, industry and urban heat.
The Reconnect Project, NSW
Winning the Circular Economy Award, the charity and social enterprise aims to close the digital divide by distributing refurbished mobile technology to needy people. They accept donations of mobile phones, tablets and laptops of any age or condition and distribute them to disadvantaged individuals and families via a network of over 100 social service agencies.
Teachers Mutual Bank Limited, NSW
Winning the Large Business Sustainable Leadership Award, the customer owned bank achieved a B Corp certification for its goal of inventing a bank “for good for those who do good”. On stage to receive the award was head of socially responsible banking, Corin Millais, who saw the bank’s incorporation of its sustainability strategy into its business strategy. It utilised its B Corp status to reset the organisation’s sustainability strategy and hopes to set an example for other mutual banks.
Other winners include:
- HW Greenham & Sons – Agriculture and Regional Development
- Fleet Space Technologies – Climate Technology Impact
- World Wide Fund for Nature Australia –Marketing and Communications for Impact
- Vic Catchments – Nature Positive
- ACT Emergency Services Agency – Net Zero Action
- Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 – Placemaking Award
- Bared Footwear – Responsible Supply
- Hysata – SME Sustainable Leadership Award
- Underwear for Humanity – Sustainable Leadership in the eCommerce & Industry Award
- Intrepid Travel – Sustainable Tourism
