National Awards
Finalists
Finalists
National Awards Finalists
MEET OUR FINALISTS!
The line-up of finalists for the 33rd Banksia National Sustainability Awards – Australia’s longest running and most prestigious sustainability awards – is more diverse and dynamic than ever, the CEO of the Banksia Foundation, Graz van Egmond, announced today.
From a start-up with a revolutionary technology for infinitely recycling plastic waste to a global cosmetics company working on gender equity, a changemaker redesigning the food system and a reality TV show that celebrates sustainable design, this year’s finalists are changing life in Australia, for the better.
“The future of sustainable development in Australia is bright. It is fantastic to see such a wide range of inspiring initiatives and an outstanding group of innovative leaders for sustainability,” Ms van Egmond says.
“The finalists share a drive to empower individuals to make a difference, whether that be ensuring decision-makers have tools to operate sustainably or offering customers products that won’t harm the environment.”
The finalists across 15 categories include people and organisations that are designing the future of cities, forging pathways to carbon net zero and accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
Communications for Impact Award
Finalists:
The Blue Tribe Company, NSW – Using the power of reality TV for good
Coles Group Limited, VIC – Coles has an ambition to become Australia’s most sustainable supermarket.
Invasive Species Council, NSW- Kosciuszko – it’s a park, not a paddock; Reclaim Kosci drives the protection of Kosciuszko National park from feral horses.
Flinders Rangers and Outback Inc, SA – Follow the Aussie Travel Code and get inside information on how to do the right thing by communities, environment and future generations!
Yarra Valley Water, VIC – Yarra Valley Water inspires children to save water.
Clean Technology Award
Finalists:
Degnan Constructions, NSW – Degnan Constructions delivering challenging infrastructure through innovation.
ACT Government, ACT – ACT Government zero emissions fleet transition.
Biodiversity Award
Finalists:
Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team, VIC – Species CAN be saved from extinction. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is one such story.
Sydney Institute of Marine Science, NSW – Living Seawalls Bring Marine Developments Back To Life.
Wildlife Drones, ACT – Wildlife Drones is revolutionising the wildlife monitoring industry.
Sustainable Tourism Award
Finalists:
Gemtree Wines, SA – Biodynamic wines grounded in earth.
Kestrel Nest EcoHut / Highfield Farm & Woodland, NSW – Mutual Benefit – eco-tourism, farming, reconcilliation and conservation working together.
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, QLD – Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort achieves 100% renewable energy goal.
Passions of Paradise, QLD – Playing an active role in reef conservation through promoting sustainability, science and partnerships.
Tasmanian Walking Company, TAS – Conserving the natural environment and culture of the Australian wilderness for generations to come. We’re committed to raising $1 million.
Zoos Victoria, VIC – At Zoos Victoria, fighting extinction begins with sustainability.
Health and Wellbeing Award
Finalists:
John Holland PTY LTD, VIC – Tackling mental health and suicide risk in Australian construction: John Holland’s industry-transforming Wellbeing Framework.
HERO Condoms, NSW – HERO step ups support for essential healthcare services and sustainable development in Australia, through innovate one-for-one model.
Primary & Community Care Services Ltd, NSW – Social prescribing for health and wellbeing.
Future Cities Award
Finalists:
ACT Government, ACT – ACT Government provides zero interest loans for households to install sustainable products.
Finding Infinity, VIC – A New Normal – Transforming Greater Melbourne from a consumer to a producer by 2030.
City of Melbourne, VIC – Melbourne becomes first city in Australia to make a Voluntary Local Review Declaration to report progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Ethical Sourcing Award
Finalists:
Bluem Self Love Club, NSW – Bluem uses skincare as a vessel to combat climate change.
Zenna Latex Mattress, NSW – A natural and sustainable alternative for a night’s sleep.
Agriculture and Regional Development Award
Finalists:
Planet Protector Packaging, NSW – Goodbye polystyrene, Planet Protector Packaging is in the race to become the market leader in sustainable thermal packaging that doesn’t harm the planet.
Terrain NRM, QLD – Accelerating progress towards Reef 2050 water quality targets through social change.
Circular Transition Award
Finalists:
Substation33, QLD – Substation33 is bridging the digital divide using a circular economy model by putting e-waste to work and equipping marginalised people with training and devices to support digital inclusion for all.
Planet Protector Packaging, NSW – Goodbye polystyrene, Planet Protector Packaging is in the race to become the market leader in sustainable thermal packaging that doesn’t harm the planet.
Logan Water, QLD – Australia’s first biosolids gasification facility.
Ecologiq, VIC – Ecologiq rethinks waste to build purposely greener transport infrastructure for Victoria.
Diversity Award
Finalists:
Lion Pty Limited, NSW – Lion strives to build a culture where everyone feels that they belong and can thrive.
L’Oreal Australia, VIC – L’Oréal Australia driving equal access, opportunities and rewards
ANZ, VIC – ANZ and Brotherhood of St Laurence partner to provide meaningful employment opportunities to refugee and asylum seekers.
Net Zero Action Award
Finalists:
UNSW Sydney, NSW – UNSW achieves net zero operational emissions and targets its value chain emissions to drive emission reductions across the wider economy.
Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW – Sustainable Healthcare – Together Towards Zero 2030.
Hesperia, WA – Hesperia is delivering Life Cycle Net Zero projects that reduce environmental impacts while contributing to growth, the economy, and the community.
Telstra, VIC – Telstra’s Environment Strategy: Leading on climate action and delivering results on our journey to Net Zero.
Lion Pty Limited, NSW – Lion’s pathway to net zero.
Youth as our Changemakers Award
Finalists:
Sascha Rust, VIC – Sascha Rust is building innovating with partnerships for the Australian food system.
Seaside Scavenge Inc, NSW – Seaside Scavenge: creating a world where nothing goes to waste.
Seljak Brand, QLD – Seljak Brand’s closed loop recycled wool blankets accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
SME Transformation Award
Finalists:
Enable Social Enterprises Limited, VIC – Old tech creating social, environmental and economic impact.
GeelongPort, VIC – Because we live here too – GeelongPort Environment Strategy – A Success Story.
Blue Eco Homes, NSW – The future of healthy housing is here!
Green Eco Technologies, VIC – Four Seasons Sydney reduces their Green House Gases by 16.3 tonnes in the first 5 months.
Large Business Transformation Award
Finalists:
Coles Group Limited, VIC – Coles has an ambition to become Australia’s most sustainable supermarket.
Sydney Opera House, NSW – The Sydney Opera House – inspiring cultural change for the Global Goals.
Goodman Fielder Pty Limited, NSW – Turning bold ambition into action Goodman Fielder is making everyday food better for everyone.
Officeworks, VIC – Officeworks strives to inspire positive change with our commitments to support our team, community, and the environment.
Ignite Award
Finalists:
Pleasant State, QLD – Pleasant State is working towards a sparkling clean world that’s free of toxic cleaning chemicals and single-use plastics.
Samsara Eco, NSW – Samsara has developed a revolutionary enzyme-based technology that can infinitely recycle plastic waste.
Two Hands, VIC – Two Hands is a digital marketplace, restoring provenance, traceability and human connections to producers, chefs and consumers.
Wildlife Drones, ACT – Wildlife Drones is harnessing the power of drone technology to pioneer autonomous environmental monitoring.
