This month Cultivated was announced as a finalist in the esteemed National Banksia Awards. In its 35th year, the Banksia Awards are the longest running sustinability awards program in the world and celeberate businesses and organisations who are pioneers in changing the fabric of Australia to make it a more sustinable and equitable place.  

Since 2013 Cultivated has been providing product stewardship to the authentic furniture industry. We advocate for the longevity of good design and believe that considered, quality products should be kept in a circular system and be repaired, recovered and refurbished if needed. We understand that a circular economy is an important way of addressing and lowering our collective environmental footprint, extending beyond the economic and into the natural environment. It's this approach to product stewardship that has seen us announced as a finalist in the Circular Economy category at the National Banksia Awards.

The Banksia Foundation was started in 1989 by a collective of likeminded individuals who wanted to recognise those in the community who were leading the way in social and environmental sustainability. Since their inception, the awards program has grown to 14 categories, including the Circular Economy award of which Cultivated is a finalist. Past winners have come from a variety of groups and organisations, and event include alumni such as David Attenborough.  The process of judging Cultivated for the award started with a written submission before progressing to interviews with the Banksia Foundation panel and then through a rigorous vetting process. One of the judging criteria was how Cultivated meets and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).

Pictured: Refurbished Fritz Hansen Series 7 Chair and Un-Refurbished  Comparison.

Pictured: Refurbished Fritz Hansen Series 7 Chair Undergoing Restoration.

In 2015 the United Nations set out 17 intersecting goals with the aim to transform the world. As noted by the WHO "The SDG's are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity. It is critical that no one is left behind." As a signatory of this global compact, Cultivated, through it's parent company Cult Design, is aligned and committed to the United Nations’ global sustainable development agenda. Through our commitment we take action and contribute to the following Sustainability Goals:

- 8 Promote Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
- 13 Climate Action
- 15 Life on Land

Cult Design Group Sustainability Manager, Nicole Johnson, notes: "Cultivated is a very important part of our business and is something we’re very proud of. As a truly circular business, it represents the future, and does all the things we’re aiming to do across the entire Cult organisation – address environmental impact, apply creative solutions, be socially responsible, employ emerging technology and engaging local networks of manufacturers and craftspeople. Now over ten years old, Cultivated continues to grow and evolve into a future-focussed business that addresses complex and sometimes very challenging issues with very rewarding outcomes."

Pictured: Restored Fredericia Ox Chair (Architects George) 

Pictured: Fredericia Corona Chair Undergoing Restoration

Cultivated brand manager, Joshua Ellis, reflects on Cultivated's journey leading up to this recognition. "When Cultivated started in 2013, we didn't know what products stewardship or circular economy meant. What we saw at the time was a problem, that problem being the amount of waste the furniture industry was contributing to landfill each year, and we decided to do something about it, hence Cultivated was born. Since then the brand has gone from strength to strength, much in due to the trust shown by our amazing customers to carefully restore their pieces and also by being able to work with some of the most talented makers and restoration experts in the world.

The 35th Annual Banksia Awards will be held on the 4th of April at the Melbourne Convention Centre. For any inquires please contact Joshua Ellis on 0417 758 669 or at joshuae@cultivated.com.au .

Pictured: Restored Fritz Hansen Series 7 Chairs - Cafe Sydney