We asked the four businesses nominated for Green Business of the Year to tell us why they should win the award, and this is what they told us...
Butterflies Lingerie
At Butterflies Lingerie in Petersfield, they believe that feeling good in what you wear should also feel good for the planet. That’s why they have built sustainability into the heart of their little independent boutique.
They run a bra recycling scheme, giving old lingerie a new lease of life — whether that’s helping women in developing countries or being reimagined into insulation and car seats. Many of the brands stocked are independent, ethical labels that use recycled yarns or even upcycled sari fabrics to create stunning nightwear. Wherever they can, they choose UK-based brands to help cut down on carbon emissions from transport.
Even in the day-to-day running of the shop, they are conscious of their footprint. They have swapped to LED lighting, switch off fitting room lights between customers, and use only biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Outside, they have created a little garden haven for bees, butterflies, and birds, because they know that small changes can have a big impact.
For Butterflies, being green isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about staying true to their values and making choices that care for people and planet. They are delighted to be shortlisted for Green Business of 2025 and proud to show that lingerie shopping can be sustainable, ethical, and just as beautiful.
Coffee Pod Creations
At Coffee Pod Creations, upcycling aluminium coffee pods is a small but meaningful way to challenge our throwaway culture. Vicky doesn't see pods as single-use items – she sees them as valuable raw materials. She collects them from the local community, cleans them with minimal water, and transforms the aluminium into jewellery. So far, she has saved around 10,000 pods from going to waste.
Being part of the community is important to Vicky. She donates regularly to a variety of charities along with regular contributions to Ecologi to support reforestation, renewable energy, and community-led projects worldwide. Over the past couple of years she has volunteered with PeCAN’s Tuesday Eco Café, repairing jewellery so it can be worn and loved again.
Every piece is carefully handmade with simple hand tools. This takes a long time, but Vicky is passionate about what she does and why she does it. She keeps everything affordable (all under £30) so greener choices can be accessible to more people.
Sustainability runs through every part of the business. Two years ago, she installed solar panels, so her home studio now runs on 100% renewable electricity. For online sales, she uses Royal Mail, as they are recognised as the UK’s greenest parcel operator. She is also committed to reducing plastic and choosing eco-friendly packaging and materials wherever possible.
You can find Coffee Pod Creations online and in outlets across the UK including The Eden Project and, closer to home, Sage and Salt (in Petersfield’s New Business Award category) and The Barn Emporium (in Petersfield's Retailer of the Year Award category).
Juniper
Vickie and Victoria at Juniper told us that their business goes well beyond being simply being packaging free.
Environmental Impact: Juniper produces very little waste, and anything they do is recycled. They source goods from as close as possible, ideally local to Petersfield (sourdough bread, eggs, honey, spelt flour, vinegar, apple juice) or British (quinoa, oats, peas, spelt pasta, crisps, cleaning and personal care fluids). In full knowledge that Organic Farming methods offer much greater environmental protection, they always source organic where possible.
Sustainable Practices: The products they sell are rigorously researched, carefully sourced, high quality, and truly sustainable. They don’t tolerate single-use plastic and minimise all other packaging, vigorously encouraging refilling. Their bulk liquids are supplied in a circular empty and refill system.
Innovation & Green Tech: The bakery supplying their bread is powered by renewable resources and delivered to the shop in an electric van. Both company directors homes (where most of the business admin is done!) have solar pv panels.
Social Responsibility: Juniper’s staff encourage ‘try before you buy’ and offer generous sampling to allow as many people as possible to ‘give it a go’ and to reduce waste. They believe it is their collective responsibility to be informed, endeavouring to promote conscious consumption to the benefit of the local and wider community. Juniper is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and to providing a service and following practices which are fully inclusive.
Education & Awareness: Juniper has had stalls at local Eco Fairs and at Alton’s COP 26 climate change event. They have also given a talk to the Eco Club at The Petersfield School and hosted a group of Bedales students who wanted to learn about switching to sustainable alternatives. They actively encourage the sharing of information between customers and shop staff and have found this to be an effective way of influencing change.
The Canopy
At The Canopy hair salon, sustainability is central to the way they operate. They are committed to minimizing their environmental impact by partnering with brands and organizations that share their values.
As part of their efforts:
- All foils used during client services are recycled
- Hair clippings are repurposed for oil spill booms, agricultural compost, and other eco-friendly materials
They are also proud to partner with Aveda, whose longstanding commitment to environmental and social responsibility aligns with their own:
- 100% vegan ingredients
- Suppliers held to rigorous social, ethical, and environmental standards
- Renewable energy–powered manufacturing (solar and wind)
- Industry-leading use of post-consumer recycled packaging
Since 1978, Aveda has set the standard for sustainable practices in beauty. By aligning with them, The Canopy are able to extend their mission of environmental stewardship while providing their clients with exceptional products and services.
They believe these partnerships not only strengthen their business but also contribute to a more sustainable future for community and planet.