Officeworks has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability through its Bring it Back initiative.
Officeworks’ has been named as one of the country’s sustainability leaders within the Retail, Hospitality, Tourism & Entertainment industry by the Australian Financial Review, following the success of its Bring it Back initiative.
Awarded as a Retail Hospitality, Tourism & Entertainment category innovator, this achievement, the company said it recognises Officeworks’ ongoing commitment to becoming a zero-waste business, by designing out waste in the first instance and embracing the values of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’. The initiative recovers valuable materials to be used again and reduces waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill, avoiding the exposure of hazardous chemicals into the environment.
In response to the announcement, Officeworks Managing Director Sarah Hunter said: “Our role in delivering value to our customers while operating a sustainable and responsible business that makes a positive difference to people and the planet is now more important than ever. Our People & Planet Positive 2025 plan is our long-term approach to supporting our team, enhancing our connection to our local communities, reducing our environmental impact and sourcing products in sustainable and responsible ways.
“Since 2015, at Officeworks we have recycled more than 7,000 tonnes of waste including batteries, printer cartridges, pens and e-waste. We have planted a million trees as part of our Restoring Australia initiative, planting two trees for every one used based on the weight of paper and wood products sold, restoring landscapes and habitats. We’re on track to achieve our goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2025 and we will install solar panels on 50 more stores over the next 18 months.
“Our success in progressing our People & Planet Positive 2025 commitments is shared and our achievements are only possible thanks to our team, customers and partners. As we look ahead, we Media release know some of our goals are ambitious, but we’re committed to making a lasting, positive difference by putting people and the planet at the heart of what we do.”
Beyond Bring it Back, and as part of its commitment to sustainability, Officeworks is leading the retail circular economy movement with the launch of a national recovery and repair service. In February 2022, Officeworks announced they had acquired a 21% stake in Brisbane-based social enterprise, World’s Biggest Garage Sale (WBGS), which drives profit for a purpose by repairing, repurposing and re-selling imperfect and unwanted products. In the coming months, the Australian retailer plans to help expand WBGS under a new brand called Circonomy, and grow the existing collection and repair service beyond Queensland and furniture and office supplies.
