Paint maker judged top for sustainability

Resene's water-based paints now have more than 50 per cent renewable content. Photo / Supplied

Paint maker Resene has been named sustainable business of the year.

The Sustainable Business Network said Resene had won the top award for its commitment to sustainable business practices and industry innovation.

"They spend a lot of time looking at a product and reconsidering some serious environmental issues associated with painting right the way from raw materials to disposal," said network chief executive Rachel Brown.

Resene's water-based paints now have more than 50 per cent renewable content and the company recycles 18 tonnes of plastic every two months.

The Sustainable Business Network awards are into their eighth year and Brown said they had attracted the same number of entries as last year, which was great considering the impact of the recession.

Resene sold premium paint and was proof that "with sustainability as long as your product is up there people are prepared to pay for it".

Brown said that around the middle of the past decade many businesses had been attracted by the image of being sustainable or green but those which embraced it only for appearances had dropped out.

Research from the University of Waikato's school of management shows that from 2003 to 2006 there was a general increase in practices such as charitable donations, ethical purchasing and work/life balancing plans for staff. However, a follow-up this year showed these back to 2003 levels after the recession hit but the number of environmental initiatives was increasing.

Brown said consumers had grown more savvy about anyone claiming sustainable credentials. "People don't take kindly to waffle around this."

Other category winners announced last night included an eco-underlay maker, an organic food manufacturer and a company that makes an eco mulch mat out of waste paper instead of plastic.

Nextbike, an Auckland hire-bike scheme that has folded, was a finalist in the small business category but did not win an award.