An online marketplace that provides an environmentally friendly, one-stop-shopping experience with independent businesses has won an award for its commitment to sustainability at the Small Awards.
Herefordshire e-commerce start-up Local e Sourced enables shoppers to choose from over 90 local suppliers with single local or national delivery. It won the inaugural national ‘Net Hero Award’ for its unique, environmentally friendly approach of storing stock from independent suppliers in its own warehouse, to reduce packaging waste and transportation emissions.
“Our business was built with the intention to limit our carbon footprint and environmental impact as far as possible, so I am absolutely thrilled to have won this fantastic new award,” said owner Hamish Light, who brought forward the planned launch of his business at the start of the pandemic to support local businesses and consumers.
Hamish was surprised at his home with a trophy during the virtual Small Awards ceremony that increasingly stunned guests, as eleven businesses across the UK were crowned winners on their doorsteps.
Local e Sourced impressed the Small Awards’ panel of expert enterprise judges for its dedication to sustainable logistics. It utilises compostable WoolCool thermal insulation and recyclable packaging, as well as two courier services – one to reach areas outside of Herefordshire, and a bicycle courier within the county.
In its fifth year, the Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK.
The new ‘Net Hero’ award also follows the launch of its Small Business Planet campaign to engage and encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to commit to reducing their carbon emissions to Net Zero before 2050, supporting the broader call to action and efforts in this area by the UK Government.
“Congratulations to Hamish and the team at Local e Sourced – they really impressed our judges with their inspiring creativity and dedication to sustainability,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, and the Small Awards.
“It has been a difficult year for the whole small business community, but it is so positive to celebrate the amazing contribution of small firms, especially when they are taking action on such crucial issues like protecting the environment. So many small businesses are hugely passionate about sustainability, and it’s important to recognise and encourage this as they can play a vital role in tackling climate change and reducing the UK’s carbon emissions.”
The Small Business Planet campaign will kick off with a series of special weekly events in the run up to COP26 on Small Business Britain’s digital channels, including webinars, Facebook Lives, Power Hours, Drop-Ins and live streamed sessions on Instagram and LinkedIn.
