A Green Hat-trick for Wellington
Starfish owner Laurie Foon and her NZI National Sustainable Business Award.
Wellington had a hat-trick at the 2007 NZI National Sustainable Business Awards - three local businesses took away major awards. Congratulations to Starfish, YHA Wellington City and Contact Energy.
Starfish’s rigorous recycling, fabric sourcing and sustainable product design policies saw it scoop the Emerging Sustainable Business Leaders (SME) award at the National Awards, after winning the Regional Awards last month.
“We are really proud to be the first fashion designers to achieve this award – it proves to us that fashion and sustainability aren’t a contradiction in terms,” Founder and Designer Laurie Foon says.
Laurie says it is fantastic that three Wellington businesses took out awards, and encourages all businesses to start thinking green. “Your teams will be so behind you so quickly. For me it makes the essence of doing businesses seem like such a better fit.”
YHA Wellington City has a strong focus on sustainability, and that was celebrated at the awards. It won the Trailblazer Award, Not for Profit category. The hostel has won this award in the Central Region for two years running and is delighted to have now achieved success on a national level.
Hostel Manager Chris Sperring says, “This is a fantastic achievement for YHA and reinforces the fact that sustainability isn’t just an add-on for us – we ‘walk the talk’ every day. Sustainability is integral to what we do.”
He says YHA Wellington has a very dedicated and passionate team which is always challenging how the hostel delivers on its sustainability charter. Chris is also challenging more businesses to get involved in the Get Sustainable Challenge. “New Zealand business needs to get active in the area of sustainability – we all need to play our part in making New Zealand sustainable.”
Contact Energy won the Emerging Sustainable Business Leaders (Large and Corporate) award.
