Sustainable Business Awards
Next date: Friday, 12 September 2025 | 06:00 PM
Nominations for the Kingston Sustainable Business Awards 2025 are now open.
The Kingston Sustainable Business Awards recognise and celebrate the efforts made by businesses in Kingston to make the world a better and safer place.
Established as a platform for our business community, they’re an opportunity to showcase and celebrate achievements in a broad range of sustainable initiatives. Presented across six categories, the Awards enable businesses to select the category or categories that align best with their specific activities, initiatives and objectives.
Read the frequently asked questions for more information about eligibility criteria and the nomination process.
Should you have any questions relating to the Kingston Sustainable Business Awards 2025, please contact the Business team at business@kingston.vic.gov.au or on 1300 653 356.
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Know an amazing business or individual who deserves to be recognised? Share this page with them so they can submit a nomination.
Major sponsor
We are pleased to announce Community Bank Parkdale as the major sponsor for the Kingston Sustainable Business Awards 2025.
Key dates
Nominations open: Monday 7 April 2025
Nominations close: Monday 12 May 2025 at 11:59pm
Awards Presentation Gala Event: Friday 12 September 2025
Categories
Category 1: Waste Reduction and Recycling Solutions
This award recognises businesses and initiatives that demonstrate efforts in reducing waste generation, promoting recycling, and implementing solutions for sustainable waste management practices. Businesses entering this category must showcase their implementation strategies and measurable results in minimising waste and resource recovery. Entries may encompass accomplishments in recycling and reprocessing systems, including mechanical and organic (composting) recycling methods, as well as implementing sustainable packaging solutions.
Category 2: Diversity and Inclusion
This award recognises businesses that excel in supporting diversity and inclusion through workplace initiatives and/or programs. These businesses demonstrate the values and benefits of an inclusive workplace and work to achieve a more inclusive environment for staff and customers. Businesses nominated for this award have taken action to reduce barriers, enhance participation and ensure information, services and facilities are accessible and inclusive to everyone in our community. Workplace diversity and inclusion may refer to gender, age, LGBTQIA+, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with a disability and First Nations engagement.
Category 3: Small and Medium Business Leadership
This award recognises outstanding achievements by small to medium businesses that integrate environmental and/or social sustainability principles and practices into their business activities and policies. Entries into this category showcase their multifaceted contributions towards sustainability (and/or achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals). Examples include ethical sourcing, community engagement, circularity and biodiversity.
Category 4: Towards Net Zero 2030
This award celebrates organisations who are working towards net zero through improving efficiency, renewable energy production and carbon emission reduction. This can be through implementing innovative strategies, technologies, policy changes and supply chain transparency.
Category 5: Product Innovation and Technology
This award celebrates businesses who develop innovative products and technologies that have the potential of significantly addressing climate change mitigation, adaptation or resilience. Examples include solar panel production, energy storage solutions, water conservation and green building technologies, amongst many more. Start-ups are welcome to enter this category if they have preliminary results.
Category 6: Young Changemakers and Innovators
This award recognises young changemakers and innovators (under 35 years old) who have devised forward-thinking solutions that align with sustainable strategies and outcomes. These individuals can have their own business or initiative or be working for an employer on an initiative they have implemented in the last 2 years. Showcase how your passion and hard work have contributed towards progressing environmental and/or social sustainability.
Eligibility
- Businesses/organisations must be registered within the City of Kingston, hold a registered ABN and have all required licences and permits relevant to their industry.
- Previous year's nominees and finalists are eligible and encouraged to apply again.
- Previous year's winners are ineligible to apply for the same winning category again but can apply for a different category.
- A business can be nominated for one or more categories. Each category selected must be for a different initiative. If a business wins a particular category, they will be ineligible to win in another category.
- For Young Changemakers and Innovators category, the nominated individual must be under 35 years old and live, work or study within the City of Kingston.
You can submit your nomination online, saving at any time to complete later on.
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Judging panel
The judging process will be conducted by the Banksia Foundation, who have 35 years of experience in conducting sustainability award programs. Banksia network of judges independently score and critique entries in categories relevant to their expertise. The Banksia Foundation's credibility rests on the fact that the judging process is independent, apolitical and not under the auspices of any organisation or association.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to be nominated?
Any business with an initiative that meets the award Eligibility Criteria is welcome to submit a nomination. This includes businesses of all sizes, educational organisations, social enterprises and not-for-profits.
Any individual (under 35 years old and who lives, work or studies within the City of Kingston) can be nominated for Young Changemakers and Innovators category with an initiative that meets the award eligibility criteria.
How do I nominate?
Nominating your business or yourself as an individual is done through an online form.
How can I prepare my nomination?
Along with general details about your business, the form will require responses to four key questions about your initiative:
- background and motivation
- approach and implementation
- results
- influence.
You will also be asked to provide a short description (max 150 words) for promotional purposes and a logo image.
If you have any questions or need help with your nomination, Kingston's Business team can be contacted at business@kingston.vic.gov.au or on 1300 653 356
Can I nominate my own business?
Can a business initiative be nominated under multiple categories?
Yes. A business can be nominated for one or more categories. Each category selected must be for a different initiative. If a business wins a particular category, they will be ineligible to win in another category.
What is an initiative?
An initiative is a specific project, product, program, system, mechanism, mindset or process implemented that has resulted in sustainable business practices.
What are the prizes?
The award winners will receive a trophy and certificate and numerous opportunities to market their businesses and initiatives.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Businesses of all sizes are eligible. Our nomination process is fair, transparent and independent of the business size.
Is there a cost to entry?
The awards are free to enter.
When
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Friday, 12 September 2025 | 06:00 PM