How our awards work - Promoting Sustainability
Promoting Sustainability category
Almost every action we take affects the future of our planet. This category focuses on small and medium businesses reducing their environmental impact by driving sustainable change for a healthier planet.
Who can apply in this category?
If you’re fulfilling one or more of the following category examples, consider nominating and entering your business for this Award.
Policy impact
For businesses advocating for policy change to drive greater environmental protections.
Research funding
For businesses funding or subsidising research and development into renewable energy technologies and efficiency initiatives.
Ecological sustainability
For businesses prioritising ecological sustainability to better protect, manage and restore Australia's fragile and unique natural environment.
Encouraging conservation
For businesses with initiatives, products or services that contribute to or encourage conservation, reduction, re-use and recycling.
Footprint reduction
For businesses focused on holistically reducing their environmental impact.
Li-ion Energy
2025 National Promoting Sustainability Winner
Li-ion Energy is a battery reuse and engineering company tackling the growing challenge of lithium battery waste. Co-founded by Sarai Ball and Justin Manton, the company began in a garage and has grown into a specialised operation focused on lithium battery pack reconditioning, technical dismantling, and clean energy system design.
Big Bag Recovery
ACT Winner
Big Bag Recovery is a program that aims to provide a way to prevent environmental harm from plastic packaging. It leads a robust circular economy for large plastic bags and sacks, from diverse sectors including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing, helping transform industrial waste into valuable resources.
NAKIE
QLD Winner
NAKIE is a sustainable outdoor gear company committed to making high-quality, environmentally conscious products that inspire people to get outside and connect with nature. From hammocks and sand free beach towels to picnic blankets and back packs, every NAKIE product is crafted from recycled plastic bottles and designed to last.
WASHBOX
NSW Winner
WASHBOX is redefining what it means to be clean on a construction site. By providing its closed-loop wash station for trade tools, it eliminates harmful liquid waste pollution while saving water, reducing risk, and helping the construction sector meet global sustainability standards.
Eligibility criteria
To enter, the following eligibility criteria must be met. Each category also has specific requirements. If you have any questions about these conditions, please contact us.
- Reside in Australia
- Have a registered Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Have been operating in Australia for at least 12 months at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Be more than 60 percent Australian-owned, with the owner(s)/founder(s) responsible for making the key management decisions
- Be a small-to-medium business that’s a sole trader, partnership, incorporated, NFP, social enterprise or franchise whose franchisor is 60 percent Australian owned and not a listed company
- Earn more than $50,000 in annual revenue
- Have under 200 full-time equivalent staff at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Operate in an ethical manner with suppliers, distributors and contractors
- Supply financials when requested. All financials will remain confidential and will not be shared or used outside the purposes of judging the business’ performance, success and viability.
- Be a listed company, franchisor, a club, co-operative, or a Telstra licensee
- Be affiliated with Telstra through investments, donation or reselling
- Be more than 50 percent owned by another business
- Be a government agency
- Have filed for bankruptcy in the prior 5 years or been subject to court proceedings in the prior 12 months – including in the business owner or founder’s personal capacity – at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Be a recipient of significant ongoing government funding (excluding temporary government relief or support packages, such as Jobkeeper or disaster recovery)
- Have been a contracted commercial supplier of Telstra in the last 3 years
- Enter the same category where the business has previously won at State or National level at the Telstra Best of the Business Awards in the past 3 years
- Have a staff member that has applied and/or have a staff member that has been a State or National Judge in the Telstra Best of Business Awards for any category in the past 3 years
- Enter the awards if a staff member or owner has applied to be a Judge in the same awards program year.
Our program dates
Our 2026 Program
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2026 program dates.
Nominations open
All year round
We accept nominations all year round. If you know an exceptional business moving Australia forward, nominate them today.
How our Awards work
Explore our award categories, application process, selection criteria and eligibility.
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Contact us
Speak with our Awards Team and call 1800 AWARDS Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm (AEDT).
Terms of entry
Ensure you're eligible to enter by viewing our official terms and conditions.