The Used Kitchen Exchange (UKE) has been honoured in the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
A handpicked selection of organisations are celebrated by the awards programme, with UKE receiving recognition in the "Sustainable Development" category.
UKE was born in 1993 and its partnership with retailers and manufacturers has, to date, saved over 12 million kilograms of carbon. It also became the first kitchen company in the world to achieve B Corp certification in summer 2021.
The Sustainable Development Award is given to commercially successful products, services and management teams that benefit the environment, society and the economy. A win means that a business can use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.
Describing why UKE was chosen for commendation, the 2022 judging panel said: "UKE has been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development because they demonstrate sustainable thinking throughout the whole product process and delivery, including influencing the wider kitchen supply industry".
Helen Lord, UKE’s founder, was delighted to receive the accolade, commenting: "We are exceptionally proud and humbled to receive this prestigious award for Sustainable Development. Since our incorporation in 2015 we have invested heavily in developing our sustainability credentials".
She continues: "The success of UKE is a direct result of the passion and commitment shown by our team and the amazing support we have received from our kitchen industry partners. Together we have made massive inroads into improving sustainability and we look forward to further developing this within the wider KBB sector".
