The United Nations’ worldwide awareness day for environment protection, World Environment Day on 5 June, was an opportunity for businesses to reconsider their ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiatives.
Both Good Sammy Enterprises and Foodbank WA are working hard to reduce unnecessary waste, integrate operational sustainable practices, and help corporate organisations to improve their ESG practices.
WA-based charity Good Sammy Enterprises sells pre-loved clothing and household items through its 27 stores across the state, reducing the impact on natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia is the second largest consumer of clothing per person globally. Each clothing item purchased contributes to Australia’s carbon footprint and raw material extraction through polyesters and other oil-based fibres, or water and land intensive natural fabrics such as cotton.
Almost 80 per cent of donations received by Good Sammy are sold, which sees them diverted from landfill.
“Donations received by Good Sammy are kind gifts from generous Western Australians. While some items donated are not suitable for sale, we are establishing an internal capability and external partnerships to recycle and upcycle some items and create opportunities for disability employment at the same time,” Good Sammy Enterprises CEO Kane Blackman said.
Approximately 70,000 items of branded workwear are donated to Good Sammy each year - much of it in brand new or in near new condition. While unbranded workwear sells well, the branded product creates a design challenge that Good Sammy’s social enterprise partner, Fibre Economy, works to address by its staff debranding it – removing the brand from clothing – for reuse or upcycling.
Partnerships are at the core of Good Sammy’s circular economy approach, including strong partnerships with South Metropolitan TAFE and Curtin University’s fashion schools.
“Through coursework, students assist with shop window dressing, upcycling clothing and processing clothing through Good Sammy’s online store. This partnership also assists students in understanding the impact of their design choices, a critical part of driving the circular economy and designing out waste,” Mr Blackman said.
Less landfill
Foodbank redistributes good food that would otherwise end up in landfill to people who need it. This includes excess or imperfect fresh produce, manufacturing errors such as mislabelling, or new foods on shelves that didn't do as well as expected.
When these foods are donated to Foodbank WA, they are distributed to people who are struggling to put food on their tables.
Foodbank also has a Community Kitchen that takes donated food and turns it into ready-to eat-meals, which has helped Foodbank reduce its waste from 11 to 4 per cent. Sustainable packaging is also used to further reduce environmental impact.
Organic waste such as unusable or not fit-for-consumption fruit, vegetables and dairy products are donated to RichGro to be turned into valuable fertilisers, which further reduces waste.
“Apart from redistributing good food, giving a third life to food through our Community Kitchen and donating organic waste to Richgro for a fourth life, we also use sustainable packaging in our Community Kitchen meals, have carboard compactors to assist with recycling packaging, and teach people about reducing food waste in our nutrition education programs,” Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara said.
“We also know that when people can choose the food they want, rather than be provided hampers, there is less chance of waste in the household.”
Last financial year, Foodbank WA saved 4.7 million kilos of good food from landfill. This also saved 9 million kilos of C02 emissions.
“Helping Foodbank WA helps to create a circular economy where we lessen our impact on the environment and also help ensure people don't go hungry,” Ms O’Hara said.
Net-zero plan
Good Sammy has developed a Net Zero Action Plan and Resource Recovery Plan to target the key areas for reducing carbon emissions and diversion of items from landfill. “This has been an enlightening process for us, demonstrating transparency in a sustainable supply chain,” Mr Blackman said.
“Good Sammy has measured its carbon footprint, including Scope 1, 2 and 3, in recent years. With mandatory carbon reporting on the horizon for many Australian businesses it’s a journey that others will be undertaking soon, if they aren’t already.”
Scope 4, also known as avoided emissions through reuse, are still to be formally recognised. “We see we have a large role to play there with the millions of kilograms we divert from landfill each year. All businesses have an opportunity to avoid and reduce emissions through reuse,” he said.
Good Sammy is also one of the largest Containers for Change refund operators in WA, with more than 125 million containers returned via Good Sammy since the program began in October 2020. The charity operates three Containers for Change drive-through depots in Balcatta, Canning Vale and Wanneroo, and most Good Sammy stores accept containers as a bag drop.
“We are seeing strong growth in customers, as people begin to understand that each container is worth 10c to them, but an extra 7c to a social enterprise like Good Sammy. We do call on businesses and households to bring their containers to us for that reason,” Mr Blackman said.
Donations, volunteers welcome
Corporate volunteering days are popular opportunities for organisations to see our operations and better understand Good Sammy’s critical work in providing employment and pathways for people with disability through social enterprise models which help our environment.
“Over 20 organisations have undertaken corporate volunteering days with Good Sammy this year, mostly at the Canning Vale warehouse. The resounding feedback from people that attend on site is what a happy, productive and positive work place it is,” Mr Blackman said.
“Good Sammy encourages more organisations to join us for a corporate volunteering day. We’re also on the search for skilled retirees who are prepared to commit to regular volunteering. Anyone with electrical, woodwork, cobbler and sewing skills would be greatly welcome to join us in repairing or upcycling goods. Good Sammy also seeks interest from those with other skills and a passion to contribute.”
Good Sammy welcomes organisations that are looking to donate high-quality clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories through a clothing drive; undertake Corporate Volunteering at our warehouse; set up Containers for Change collection points (with over 500 containers per month), use its new landscaping service enterprise, or integrate trained staff with a disability into their workforce.
To partner with Good Sammy contact Paul.Schreuders@goodsammy.com.au or find out how you can make a difference to an inclusive and sustainable circular community.
There are many ways to support Foodbank WA, including corporate partnerships, volunteering, donations, fundraising, events and more.
