Winning Group named finalist in the Banksia Sustainability Awards 2025

For leadership in the circular economy

The push toward a more sustainable future relies on organisations that rethink how products are made, used, and reused - and how waste can be dramatically reduced. This year, Winning Group, the parent company of Appliances Online and Winnings, has been recognised for that work, earning a place as a finalist in the Circular Economy category of the Banksia Foundation’s 2025 NSW Sustainability Awards. The nomination highlights the scale and ambition of the group’s efforts to support more responsible consumption across Australia.

Alice Kuepper Winning Group Sustainability

Alice Kuepper, Winning Group’s Head of Sustainability and Industry Impact

Commenting on the recognition and what it represents for the group, Alice Kuepper, Winning Group’s Head of Sustainability and Industry Impact, said:

"We’re honoured to have been named a finalist in the Circular Economy Award. Reducing our environmental impact is central to how we operate: we collect and repurpose packaging, manage responsible recycling of old units, and prioritise product sourcing from suppliers that support sustainable practices."

The Circular Economy Award

The Circular Economy Award celebrates organisations making tangible progress toward circular systems - businesses that design out waste (preventing it from being generated in the first place), keep materials in use longer, and embed sustainability at every stage of operations. This year, the Winning Group joins Auburn Hospital Sustainability Team, John Holland’s M7M12 Integration Project, Lion Pty Ltd, OceanEarth Foundation, and Sustainable Scrubs as finalists.

Winning Group, parent company of Appliances Online and Winnings, named a finalist in the 2025 NSW Sustainability Awards

Winning Group recognised for efforts to minimise waste and maximise the use of resources

A circular economy is an approach to production and consumption that minimises waste and maximises the use of resources. Instead of following a disposable approach, materials are kept in circulation through reuse, repair, recycling and thoughtful design, reducing environmental impact while supporting long-term economic and community wellbeing.

The NSW Sustainability Awards, run by the highly regarded Banksia Foundation in partnership with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, celebrate practical, high-impact initiatives. Entries are carefully assessed by over 30 independent judges, who provide detailed feedback and ensure fairness, transparency and integrity throughout the evaluation process.

Why Winning Group has been recognised

The group has reached the finals through initiatives that make circular practices part of everyday life for Australian households:

Encouraging responsible consumption by helping customers choose more efficient products
Offering free take-back services for old appliances, mattresses, and packaging to ensure responsible recycling
Partnering with suppliers to expand recycling capabilities
Recycling more than 80,000 tonnes of e-waste, making it Australia’s largest retail collector of end-of-life appliances.

These initiatives have seen the Winning Group previously enjoy other industry and consumer recognition, including being named Category Winner in the AFR's Sustainability Leaders List 2024, and Best Last Mile Sustainability Initiative Winner in the Retail Sustainability Awards 2023.

James Bartlett, General Manager of Appliances Online

Reflecting on the group’s longstanding commitment to its collection and recycling program, James Bartlett, General Manager of Appliances Online, explained:

“At Appliances Online, our free collection and recycling program is central to how we operate. We’ve been running it for many years, taking full responsibility for the proper disposal and recycling of old washers, dryers, fridges, TVs and more. It is truly gratifying to have these efforts to divert waste from landfill acknowledged by such a respected body as the Banksia Foundation."

Looking ahead

Winners of the NSW Sustainability Awards will be announced on 9 December 2025. Regardless of the outcome, being named a finalist demonstrates Winning Group’s dedication to reducing waste, supporting responsible consumption, and showing that large retailers can lead meaningful environmental change by embedding circular practices into everyday operations.

Oli Kitchingman

Oli is Appliances Online's editor and blogger, with almost two decades of lifestyle-related writing and editing to his name. With a mission to help you buy better and live smarter, his brand loyalty will forever belong to the appliance manufacturer that develops a self-emptying dishwasher.