Banksia National Sustainability winners announced

The winners of the 33rd Banksia National Sustainability Awards have been announced with a range of companies, groups and people being recognised for their contributions to sustainability in Australia.

The Banksia Gold Award, representing the highest achiever of the year, went to Planet Protector Packaging, a startup that repurposes waste wool otherwise unsuitable for use, to provide sustainably thermal packaging. This packaging, called Woolpack, can be used to store foods and other sensitive items that need breathable thermal protection.

The inaugural Ignite Award, which recognises promising start-up companies that are yet to reach market, was given to advanced recycling group Samsara Eco, hot off the heels of its large capital investment. The company is developing an enzyme that assists bacteria’s digestion of plastic, reducing the time it takes for plastic to break down into its constituent monomers, enabling a circular economy.

Ecologiq took home the Circular Transition Award, which is handed to companies or groups that work to produce technology and initiatives to bring about a circular economy in their workplace or business. Ecologiq was selected as the winner due to it integrating reused and recycled materials into Victoria’s transport infrastructure projects as well as for its Recycled First Policy which requires contractors to optimise their use of recycled and reused materials.

The ACT Government won the Future Cities Award for its zero interest loans for households to install sustainable products and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science won the Biodiversity Award for its seawalls that can use repurposed materials to support marine life growth.

For the full list of winners, visit https://banksiafdn.com/national-finalists-and-winners/.

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