This award is open to

• Small businesses or non-profit organisations with an annual turnover of less than $10 million.
• Businesses must be based and operate within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.

Exclusions

• Individuals or groups

A business can be nominated for multiple categories of the Northern Beaches Local Business Awards if eligible. 
Unsuccessful nominees from past years may be re-nominated in subsequent years.

Members of the assessment panel and Councillors are not permitted to nominate or encourage others to nominate on their behalf.

Points will be awarded for the strength of the response, demonstrated outcomes and innovation.

Award questions

• Accreditation programs, awards, sustainability innovations or other information (photos, data) that support the application
• Key sustainability achievements, including any innovative approaches or practices

Checklist actions

We recommend you download our self-assessment checklists to help guide your answers.

Energy: What steps have you undertaken to reduce your energy consumption?
Some actions may include installation of LED lighting, renewable energy (solar panels, batteries, green power), end of day power offs, yearly energy audits, use of energy efficient appliances, tracking energy consumption, water saving technology.

Water: What steps have you undertaken to reduce your water consumption?
Some actions may include installation of dual flush toilets, capture and reuse of water, systems or policies to identify and resolve leakages, water-efficient fixtures and appliances with at least a 4 star water rating, and other water saving technologies or practices.

Waste: What steps have you undertaken to reduce waste and improve waste management practices?
Some actions may include minimising paper use, shifting to digital communications, using 100% recycled paper, providing clearly labelled recycling and composting bins, implementing a formal waste management system, and encouraging reusable water bottles, cups, and containers.

Sustainable transport: What steps have you undertaken to improve sustainable transport practices?
Some actions may include enabling or encouraging employees to commute sustainably, promoting active transport, using virtual meetings where possible, flexible work arrangements to avoid peak congestion, and transitioning fleet vehicles to low emission or alternative fuel options.

Building management: What steps have you undertaken to improve the sustainability of building and workplace management?
Some actions may include sensor lighting and automatic switch off systems, powering down equipment after hours, encouraging staff to switch off power points, using sustainable office supplies, prioritising natural lighting and ventilation, and improving overall building efficiency.

Purchasing & procurement: What steps have you undertaken to improve sustainability within purchasing and procurement?
Some actions may include implementing a sustainable purchasing policy, prioritising ethical and environmentally responsible suppliers, local sourcing, selecting efficient HVAC systems, using eco friendly cleaning, kitchen, and office products, and purchasing carbon credits to offset emissions.

Production & manufacturing: What steps have you undertaken to improve sustainability within production or manufacturing processes?
Some actions may include measuring and reporting carbon emissions, using recycled or low impact materials, improving resource efficiency, reducing waste in production processes, and exploring new sustainability initiatives, innovations, or partnerships.

Policy, staff & community: What steps have you undertaken to support sustainability through policies, staff engagement, and community involvement?
Some actions may include appointing a sustainability coordinator or committee, developing sustainability policies, staff health and wellbeing initiatives, diverse and ethical recruitment practices, tracking emissions, participation in community or charity activities, and collaboration with other organisations to deliver sustainability outcomes.

Nominations will be reviewed by an appointed judging panel.

The selection of recipients will be based upon the nominations received and information available to the judging panel. The judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

An award does not have to be granted should the judging panel decide that no nominee fits the criteria sufficiently.