Meet the 2026 Impact Awards Finalists
by Sustainability Tracker 01/10/2026
News
by Sustainability Tracker 01/10/2026
News
This article was contributed by Sustainability Tracker.
The wait is over. Thirty-five businesses have been shortlisted as finalists for the 2026 Impact Awards, and on Wednesday 25áµ—Ê° November, the winners will be crowned at the big ceremony at Alpha, Sydney.
This year’s shortlist is the strongest yet. Nominations jumped 72 per cent on last year, more businesses nominated themselves, the program grew to ten categories and the judging panel expanded. The People’s Choice Award also drew its biggest voter turnout since the awards began.
“Every year we see more businesses willing to share their sustainability stories, and that’s what this program is about: sustainability in the mainstream,” said Sustainability Tracker CEO Kiarne Treacy. “With so much finger-pointing and so many accusations of greenwashing, we choose to celebrate progress. All progress matters, and every step in the right direction deserves to be shared. That’s how industries move forward: one step, and one good news story, at a time.”
Every finalist has earned their place through a rigorous judging process. A panel of 24 industry experts independently reviews every entry against strict criteria. Each nomination is scored by a minimum of three judges, and the aggregate score is taken into account in the final results.
Now in its third year, the Impact Awards run in partnership with Xero, Proud Partner of the program since it began. Xero’s support keeps the program 100 per cent free for Sustainability Tracker subscribers.
“Many awards programs are pay-to-play. We wanted ours to have genuine rigour and substance,” Treacy said. “That backing lets us put careful processes in place that take the better part of the year to plan, judge and finalise, so we can deliver a trustworthy, credible program every year.”
“Whether you’re an established business or a two-person operation just starting out, everyone’s sustainability journey deserves support,” said Xero GM Sustainability & Impact, Dr Tamara Somers. “We’re proud to support the Impact Awards for a third year, because celebrating real, practical progress is at the heart of Xero’s purpose: making life better for small businesses, their advisors and communities.”
Finalists span ten award categories, from circular product design and industry stewardship through to innovation and services for good.
2026 Impact Awards Finalists:
&BLOOM Sustainability and ESG, 4MyEarth, Australian Bedding Stewardship Council, ACCO Brands, Adorn Cosmetics, Australian Furniture Industry Stewardship Council, Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Bared Footwear, BekaertDeslee, Big Bag Recovery, Clean Up Australia, Clemence Organics, Climate Zero, Dilmah, DV Safe Phone, Enbacci Skincare, Envirobank Recycling, Enzyme Wizard, felix Mobile, Global GreenTag, GloBird Energy, Green Moves, Koala, Koh, Paintback, Pablo & Rusty’s, Responsible Wood, Runway Room, Schickerling, Smarterlite (Polar Enviro), Soap Aid, TEMPUR, Titan Packaging, Volvo, Zea
Winners will be revealed live at the Impact Awards ceremony at Alpha, Sydney, on Wednesday 25 November 2026.
Add your name to the list for first release tickets.