The Environment and Sustainability Award recognises the outstanding contribution an individual, not-for-profit group or business has made to improve the quality of life for people in the Selwyn district by promoting understanding of environmental issues and/or stimulating solutions.

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TOCK. EARTH LIMITED
TOCK.earth is Selwyn based social enterprise, driven by passion to deliver environmental action and education. In two years, with just one Selwyn based educator and minimal budget, they have reached over 40% of Selwyn school and preschool aged children (under eight years), through more than 300 waste minimisation workshops. The feedback has been phenomenal, with many parents and schools putting waste reduction measures into action in class and at home, driven by the enthusiasm generated by tamariki. The programme also covers key aspects of being Kaitiaki of our natural Taonga, using an inclusive approach, incorporating NZSL and Te Reo Māori.

THE FANTAIL TRUST
The Fantail Trust was established in August 2020 to create a native plant and bird sanctuary along the walkway in the Rakaia Gorge. The forest along the walkway is considered of considerable ecological value and harbours many native plants either threatened or near extinction. It is also diminished in bird life. The Fantail Trust has spent countless hours in the forest to give it protection and care and have eliminated over 700 possums, 800 rats, 50 stoats and other pests. The birdlife has increased already, especially bellbirds, fantails, grey warblers and silver eyes, and seedlings of native plants are appearing.

INTELLIGRO
Intelligro has been operating in Rolleston as a family-owned company for over 40 years, manufacturing growing media, landscape materials and specialty products. These products are not only an avenue for waste materials or by products to find a sustainable home but are the pillars that create the thriving outdoor spaces seen in the Selwyn district. This includes a safe fall wood chip product now in almost every playground in Selwyn, created alongside the Council. This is made up of recycled pallets and other timbers.  

ELLESMERE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE INCORPORATED
Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Incorporated (ESAI) has made significant environmental gains in Selwyn via its ‘Tinaku – Germinate Growth’ Project starting in 2020 and completed in mid-2023. This project and its further extension project have provided the restoration and much improved riparian management of waterways within the Ellesmere area. ESAI is recognised nationally as one of the country’s leading catchment groups working alongside other groups to help address issues such as surface and groundwater quality and enhancing environmental practices and outcomes. ESAI has also provided community and student training, wetland protection designs, farm environment plan assistance, farmer upskilling and more.

BAKKERPRINT
Bakkerprint strives to make a positive impact on the environment and address sustainability issues within the printing industry. Years ago, the business transitioned from traditional printing methods to digital printing. This shift has significantly reduced emissions and minimised the wastage of inks, chemicals, and materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Additionally, sustainably made papers often crafted from converted agricultural waste such as wheat straw and post-industrial waste wood chips, are sourced where possible. Toners and their waste containers are recycled appropriately and any paper waste generated during the printing process is also recycled. 

FOOD ART SCIENCE
Monika Rastogi helps people grow food from scraps and then use their organic harvest to cook healthy, vegetarian meals through Food Art Science. Recently, Monika delivered a talk about regrowing veggies to 120 people and also spoke about the nutritional and health benefits of each vegetable and the different ways of using them. She uses a whole food, zero waste approach and demonstrates this is in every class, such as using rice or lentil water to hydrate plants. We are a Kidsfirst kindergarten catering for 2-6 year olds. We believe it is our role to teach our tamariki about how they can look after our world no matter how small they are. We believe that for our next generation to enjoy what we have now, we need to start teaching our tamariki from a very early age about how to care for all the natural resources we have. We do this through intentional teaching, songs, stories and actively getting out into our community.

FLUFFY DUCKS
Fluffy Ducks has prevented more than 10,000 tonnes of disposable waste going to landfill with their cloth nappies, which can be used from newborn through to toilet training. This saves about 1.2 tonnes of landfill waste per child. The materials Fluffy Ducks use are sustainable and natural and can be recycled and re-used. Nappy covers are also made from recycled plastic bottles, with each cover preventing three bottles going to landfill. The business is working closely with local pre-schools to transition to cloth nappies in schools. It also supplies reusable swim nappies and wet bags to several swim schools to avoid single use disposables, as these can take 500 years to decompose. 

GLOBAL BUS VENTURES (NZ) LIMITED
Global Bus Ventures has worked tirelessly to continue addressing environmental issues. They have successfully integrated hydrogen powertrain technology into a boat to demonstrate the versatility of hydrogen as a power source not only for buses, but high performance marine applications. The Emirates Team New Zealand Chase Zero marks the first time in the world that a hydrogen fuel cell was integrated into a high-performance foiling vessel, capable of exceeding speeds of 50 knots. Global Bus Ventures provides green solutions to transport entities throughout Aotearoa with electric and hydrogen powered vehicles, and retrofitting older diesel vehicles with green power systems.

LINCOLN ENVIROTOWN TRUST
Lincoln Envirotown addresses environmental issues in all the projects and events it delivers.  
Projects include: 

  • Management of the Lincoln Community Gardens; 

  • Overseeing the development and care of the Mahoe Native Reserve;

  • Running the Selwyn Timebank 

  • Trapping in allocated Reserve Areas as part of “Predator Free” NZ;

  • Providing the Selwyn Trap Library for backyard predator trapping; 

  • Running the Selwyn Responsible Business Network and Awards; 

These are continuous ongoing projects aimed at addressing environmental and community concerns. Other recently completed projects include battery recycling and free fruit trees in schools. 

THE HERBAL GARDEN
The Herbal Garden has made a strong contribution to addressing environmental issues through its dedication to organic and permaculture methods of gardening. By adopting these sustainable practices, the business has minimised its environmental footprint and promoted the well-being of the ecosystem. One of the key aspects of Herbal Garden's contribution is its commitment to organic gardening practices. By avoiding the use of chemical additives and pesticides, the business ensures that herbs grown in its gardens are free from harmful residues. This benefits the health of the consumers and helps protect the soil, water sources, and surrounding ecosystem from pollution.

MOMENTUM ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITED
Momentum Environmental Ltd (MEL) specialises in soil contamination investigations and offers a variety of contamination related services. MEL is committed to providing alternative remediation solutions that offer clients financially viable, timely and sustainable alternatives to sending soils off to landfill. MEL has promoted innovative investigation phase alternatives to standard contaminated land practices such as the use of a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine and bioavailability assessments. MEL also offers alternative remediation solutions such as capping, encapsulation cells, mixing to dilute contaminant concentrations, behavioural management measures and relocation of contaminated material elsewhere on-site. 

RECYCLE RECREATE
In 2015, the ReCycleReCreate Facebook page was created to educate and inspire people to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Through this platform, founder Shelley Bakker has given talks at primary schools, participated in environmental groups, organised fundraisers, and raised awareness about mindful consumption. Shelley then created a business focusing on reducing waste by repurposing materials like bouncy castle fabric and used seatbelts to create pannier/saddle bags and other products. The website, www.recyclerecreate.today, has garnered recognition for its content and serves as a platform to promote sustainable living.

BENTO NINJA
Bento Ninja is a family-owned business, based in Lincoln, for a small online shop selling high quality and sustainable reusable products including stainless steel lunch boxes and stainless steel clothes pegs for waste-free and environmentally friendly living. Plastic creates a lot of rubbish and waste in the world, not only single-use plastic, but reusable plastic lunch boxes and clothes pegs as they usually take 500-1000 years to degrade in landfill. Bento Ninja’s range of sustainable, reusable products to reduce plastic and waste from laundry, mealtime and everyday life, is durable, innovative and versatile.