Paraoa Bakehouse has been named New Zealand’s Sustainable Business of the Year at the National Sustainable Business Network Awards, which recognise businesses that are actively integrating principles of sustainability into their daily operations.
Resene Paints, YHA Wellington, Express Couriers, Kate Sylvester and Meridian Energy, were also winners in their individual award categories.
In addition to winning Sustainable Business of the Year, Paraoa Bakehouse also scooped the top prize in the Trailblazer (Small and Medium) category.
Paraoa Bakehouse produces range of breads including gluten-free and wheat-free varieties, sold throughout New Zealand.
The judges were particularly impressed by the company’s commitment to waste minimisation. While producing 5000 loaves week, the business has drastically reduced the amount of weekly rubbish it sends to landfill to less than the size of netball.
It recycles plastic, cardboard and paper, and unsold bread is donated to the Foodbank, used for stuffing, turned into breadcrumbs or croutons or used as animal feed. The company is also trying to source its energy from renewable resources.
Rachel Brown, chief executive of the Sustainable Business Network, is impressed with the company’s efforts. “Paraoa Bakehouse provides us with restorative sustainable business model – and its owner, Robert Glensor, is visionary entrepreneur and sustainability role model for the rest of us.”
As foundation partner of the Sustainable Business Network and awards sponsor, head of NZI Karl Armstrong said he is delighted that businesses are increasingly becoming aware of the need to become more sustainable.
“It’s great to see the innovative solutions these winners have found to allow them to integrate sustainable practices across their businesses.”
To enter the awards, businesses either participated in the Sustainable Business Network’s ‘Get Sustainable Challenge’, which looks at key areas of sustainable practice; or entered the Sustainable Design and Innovation Award, which celebrates businesses offering an outstanding product, service or building.
For full results see www.sustainable.org.nz
