Ecostore Scoops Two Awards

Ecostore Scoops Two Awards at 2014 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards

ecostore has won two awards at the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards held at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront last night (18 November).

ecostore won the Mega efficiency Innovation category and co-founder Malcolm Rands was the joint winner of the Sustainability Champion award.

The NZI National Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Awards are New Zealand’s longest-standing and pre-eminent sustainability awards. The awards are now in their 12th year and are designed to recognise businesses that are making a real difference by innovating New Zealand’s business landscape.

The judges were impressed by ecostore’s bold move to develop new bioplastic technology which aims to provide packaging that is recyclable through current fossil fuel-based plastic recycling systems. They said, “It is an exciting move, and it shows that ecostore is committed to establishing themselves as a pioneer in reducing the impacts of their packaging.”

“One of the great pioneers and personalities of the New Zealand sustainability scene, Malcolm has built a globally successful business on the basis of uncompromising principles and a strong purpose, making the ‘eco choice’ accessible to the masses in the products we use and consume every day. Malcolm does a lot of public speaking and has recently published his autobiography. He is seen as a generous and inspiring leader: it is the way he shares his story that pushed him above the others.”

Rands was humbled by the award and praised his team for their tireless work.

“While ecostore was started by my wife Melanie and I in our garage in Northland, it is now a global company thanks to the efforts of the ecostore team. We are constantly thinking about how we can make products that are safer for the environment but also for people’s health.”

Rands has been a strong advocate for not using nasty chemicals given the lack of testing and information about the long-term effects on people’s health.

“Just yesterday a USA study was released showing mice exposed to the chemical triclosan triggered cancer. Triclosan is found in products New Zealanders use every day – shampoo, toothpaste, soaps – especially antibacterial soaps, detergents and cosmetics. It’s time for businesses to take responsibility for the environment but also people’s health.”

The full results of winners for the 2014 National Sustainable Business Network Awards can be found at: sustainableawards.org.nz

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