UPPAREL was last night recognised as the winner of the Industry Leader award in the Waste and Recycling Solutions category for its Textile Recycling Collection Program at the 2023 Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
Responding to the global textile waste crisis, UPPAREL runs a nationwide collection program to intercept textiles before they enter landfill, reducing soil and water contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions. Since inception, UPPAREL has saved more than 10 million textile items from entering landfill.
Through manual sorting, collected garments are either reused, repurposed, or recycled. Recently, UPPARREL developed UPtex, a product made entirely from textile waste that can be used for a wide range of applications including packaging, homewares, insulation and fashion, and is completely recyclable at its end of life.
UPPAREL also educates the public, promoting responsible options for pre-loved textiles, and encourages sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
Porous Lane was the winner of the Community Champion award in the Waste and Recycling Solutions category.
Championing recycled materials by taking waste tyres and transforming them into an engineered permeable pavement, Porous Lane is not only diverting tyres from landfill but giving them a new lease of life.
From 2021 to 2022, Porous Lane diverted 10,000 Australian waste tyres from landfill and installed more than 3000 square metres of paths. The tyre waste has replaced 50 per cent of virgin material and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Designed to meet the demands of various applications ranging from pedestrian walkways to carparks, Porous Lane’s engineered pavement technology is tailor-made for each specific use.
In the Sustainable Places Category, Brimbank City Council won the Community Champion Award for the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, Australia’s first 100 per cent renewable energy-powered, zero greenhouse gas emissions aquatic centre.
Compared to a conventional gas-powered design, the all-electric and renewable energy-powered centre is 76 per cent more energy efficient overall and is modelled to avoid 1192 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, a reduction of about 17 per cent of the council’s overall annual greenhouse emissions.
Premier Jacinta Allan personally selected the winners of the two overall awards. The Premier’s Recognition Award was presented to Assembled Threads and Geelong Sustainability received the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award.
In an address celebrating the 21st Premier’s Sustainability Awards, Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said he was proud of the journey Victorians are taking to make the state more sustainable and acknowledged the work of the leaders and change makers to reduce waste, boost recycling and use precious resources carefully.
Matt Genever, Sustainability Victoria’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, said he applauded the winners for taking action to bring about positive change.
“All of these winners have challenged the status quo and shown true leadership in their fields. I feel inspired and elated to hear their stories and learn about the difference they’re making.”
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards is Victoria’s most prestigious annual sustainability awards program celebrating the businesses, government and community leading the way in sustainable innovation and practices.
There are two winners for each of the six categories, which were refreshed in 2021 to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The Community Champion Award recognises individuals and small organisations, and the Industry Leader Award celebrates medium and large organisations driving a sustainable future.
To view the profiles of all winners and finalists, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/psa-2023-winners
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