Planet Protector Packaging has received two honours in the Banksia Gold award for its sustainable packaging alternatives that help eliminate polystyrene from the world’s supply chains.
It also received the Agriculture and Regional Development Award for its product, Woolpack, a polystyrene alternative made from wool waste.
Just as wool keeps sheep warm in winter and cool in summer, this same technology is used for the Woolpack boxes and pouches. According to the company, select fibres effectively absorb moisture from the air, minimising humidity and condensation, which helps keep stable temperatures.
Woolpack is already available in the market, being used for seafood, wine, temperature-sensitive foods, and pharmaceuticals.
These were the Australian non-profit organisation’s 33rd National Sustainability Awards, which recognise individuals, communities, businesses, and governments for excellence and innovation in environmental and social stewardship innovation.
The winners were announced at a gala event held in Melbourne Convention and Entertainment Centre with 15 categories in the awards. During the ceremonies, guest speaker Dr Cathy Foley shared her insights into the opportunities for sustainable development in the country.
The foundation was established to harness the power of social and environmental impact through sustainable business practices and community engagement. It hopes to inspire changemakers and start-ups and enable sustainability innovation.
Here are the winners for each category:
| Category | Winner | About |
| Communications for Impact Award | The Blue Tribe Company | Blue Tribe is using the power of reality TV to celebrate and foster sustainable design |
| Clean Technology Award | Degnan Constructions | Degnan Constructions delivers challenging and unique infrastructure through creative innovation |
| Biodiversity Award | Sydney Institute for Marine Science | Sydney Institute for Marine Science uses living seawalls bring marine developments back to life |
| Sustainable Tourism Award | Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort | The Lady Elliott Island Eco Resort achieves a goal of 100% renewable energy |
| Future Cities Award | ACT Government | ACT Government provides zero interest loans for households to install sustainable products |
| Health and Wellbeing Award | Primary and Community Care Services | Primary and Community Care Services pioneers social prescribing for health and wellbeing |
| Ethical Sourcing Award | Zenna Latex Mattress | Zenna provides mattresses and sleep products – a natural, sustainable alternative for a night’s sleep |
| Agriculture and Regional Development Award | Planet Protector Packaging | Goodbye polystyrene. Planet Protector Packaging is in the race to become the market leader in sustainable thermal packaging that doesn’t harm the planet |
| Circular Transition Award | Ecologiq | Ecologiq rethinks waste to build purposely greener transport infrastructure for Victoria |
| Diversity Award | L’Oreal Australia | L’Oréal Australia is driving equal access, opportunities and rewards in the workplace |
| Net Zero Action Award | Hesperia Lion Pty Limited | Hesperia is delivering Life Cycle Net Zero projects that reduce environmental impacts while contributing to growth, the economy, and the community Lion’s net-zero journey is a comprehensive program of activity that integrates sustainability into the heart of their business |
| Youth as our Changemakers Award | Sascha Rust | Sascha Rust is building innovating with partnerships for the Australian food system |
| Small to Medium Enterprise Transformation Award | Enable Social Enterprises Limited | Enable Social Enterprises Limited is on a mission to tackle disadvantage and break unemployment cycles |
| Large Business Transformation Award | Officeworks | Officeworks strives to inspire positive change with commitments to support team, community, and the environment |
| Ignite Award | Samsara | Samsara has developed a revolutionary enzyme-based technology that can infinitely recycle plastic waste |
| Gold Award | Planet Protector Packaging | Goodbye polystyrene. Planet Protector Packaging is in the race to become the market leader in sustainable thermal packaging that doesn’t harm the planet |
