Woolworths Group has taken out the Gold Banksia Award at Australia’s longest running sustainability awards – the Banksia National Sustainability Awards.
The supermarket giant picked up both the Gold Banksia Award and Large Business Sustainable Leadership Award for its work in driving “one of the deepest transformational programs” seen in an Australian company in recent years.
Alex Holt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Woolworths, said they were humbled to see their efforts recognised by Banksia awards.
“Our teams work hard to deliver quality products and value for our customers, and we want to make sustainability intrinsic to how we do that.
“Many of the things we’re doing have been made possible thanks to the ingenuity of individuals and small businesses who are leading this technological and cultural revolution.”
The awards, in its 34th iteration, saw winners range from Australia’s largest retailer to government agencies, community leaders, non-profit organisations, and small businesses across Australia.
Graz van Egmond, CEO of the Banksia Foundation, said winners were drawn from a record number of entries, demonstrating optimism and hope for a brighter future despite fears for the economy in the short term.
“These are Australia’s brightest leaders, changemakers and innovators who are making a positive impact on our world.”
A total of 15 award winners were announced at a gala event at the Melbourne Convention and Entertainment Centre, including a Sydney-based organisation turning carbon dioxide into building materials, an Indigenous-owned and led for-purpose organisation in Western Australia offering software to protect Indigenous culture and manage country, and more.
Holt thanked all their suppliers, partners, team members and customers whose everyday actions are helping to make grocery shopping more sustainable.
“We’d like to celebrate all the projects and individuals recognised by the Banksia awards for driving positive change – from Indigenous land management, to natural capital reporting and carbon capture technology.”
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