Meet the amazing Sustainable Business Awards finalists for 2021! A close call, with superb businesses pipped at the post!
This year there are 9 categories (including the People’s Prize), celebrating the achievements of small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises and not-for-profits working in the fields of sustainability, social and environmental impact and the circular economy.
The inspiring sustainable and heritage businesses that made the cut…
The Heritage Award For businesses using traditional production methods and techniques, making contributions to cultural heritage or incorporating heritage techniques/skills into their work.
- Angus Ross – project 1, a collaboration between the Red Lichties Stitching Group, artist Andrew Crummy and Angus Ross, celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. Project 2 The Red House Benches for the National Trust
- Rose Fulbright – taking a British brand and design style to China, Singapore, Australia, America and Belgium, showcasing classic couture techniques such as French Seams and Bias Binding
- Love Heartwood – wooden plates and bowls and cups, a new take on pre-18th century woodware
Environment Award For businesses that have positively impacted the environment as a core component of their business and/or giving in the past two years.
- Bio-D – 100% of Bio-D’s bottles are created from post-consumer waste. Bio-D’s products are manufactured in the UK to reduce ‘food miles’
- Habitat Aid – supply many tonnes of wildflower seed and 100,000s native plants. They have directly planted and seeded many acres and support environmental NGOs
- Naturesave – achieved the landmark of giving £1m of its income to their charity the Naturesave Trust. There have been over 500 environmental projects funded since The Trust was founded in 1997
Circular Economy Award
For businesses that use circular economy principles and methods in their products or services to provide solutions that tackle some of the major waste issues facing the planet
- Bio-D – their closed-loop laundering system launched in 2020
- Chloe Haywood – repurposing rejected materials into new products
- Ava Innes – a circular approach to using a by product of the cashmere industry
Social Impact Award
For socially minded businesses aiming to make a difference to their local communities and the environment.
- Bold Voices – empowers young people to recognise and tackle gender inequality and gender based violence through education
- Cooper’s Bakehouse – Cooper’s Bakehouse is a bakery producing organic sourdoughs and traditional slow-fermented bread and delivering by bicycle
- The Shrew With The Flu – childrens’ Environmental Education Materials and Picture Book
- Top Up Truck – a fun community-centred zero waste delivery service operating from an electric milk float
Global Impact Award: Sponsored by EQ Investors. For businesses based in Britain and Ireland that are working with international communities, creating ethical partnerships and with good supply chain management.
- Origin Africa – the UK’s first 100% not-for-profit fashion brand use 100% of their profits to fund social impact entrepreneurs in Africa
- Y.O.U Underwear – made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, Fairtrade and PETA-approved vegan materials, giving two pairs to women’s charities for every pair you buy!
- BB Pads – sustainable, ethical and transparent textiles helping to tackle period poverty and plastic waste and support women’s work
- Frugi – a Cornish-based ethical children’s clothing and accessories company with a rigorous planet-friendly ethos
Sustainable Innovation Award For businesses with a cutting edge idea that will save energy, reduce carbon, encourage a circular economy and protect the planet.
- Green Unit – low carbon, modular buildings manufactured offsite
- Linda Bloomfield – a new celadon glaze that can be fired at a lower temperature using green energy
- Ava Innes – have the patent for a new type of insulating fabric
- Trelonk – using supercritical CO2 as a green alternative to traditional organic solvents for the extraction of essential oils from plants
New Business Award
For new businesses creating products or providing services (under 2 years old)
- Selfmade Candle – an independent wellness brand with products designed to be used more than once
- Haines Collection Ltd – on a mission to reduce textile waste in the interiors industry
- Trelonk – harnessing the natural power of plants, chosen for their efficacy in alleviating inflammation
- TopUp Truck – a fun community-centred zero waste delivery service operating from an electric milk float
Female Business Leader Award For businesses headed by women who are achieving greatness, or with a woman leader making significant contributions to a business.
- Susanna Paisley of Newton Paisley
- Sarah McCartney of 4160Tuesdays
- Rose Fulbright-Vickers of Rose Fulbright
- Nancy Zeffman and Eileen Willett of Cucumber Clothing
The People’s Prize – vote now!
For businesses based in Britain and Ireland, that may manufacture either in the UK & Ireland or abroad
Thank you to everyone who entered – we had wonderful businesses in the running for each category, narrowing down was not easy.
Thank you to all of our wonderful judges for their time, and last but not least to our sponsors and the Blue Patch Patrons for supporting the 2021 awards.
