Officeworks unveils latest people and planet achievements
October 22, 2024
Officeworks has launched its 2024 People and Planet Positive Report, disclosing its progress against its 18 sustainability targets and sharing the retailer’s focus for the year ahead.
Officeworks Chief Financial Officer Brendan Hargreaves said, “At Officeworks, we’ve been committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet for 30 years, and this mission continues to drive our ongoing business performance. One key example is our People and Planet Positive range, which has resonated strongly with our customers. Since 2020, this range, designed to support communities and reduce our environmental footprint has seen impressive year-on-year growth of 10 per cent generating around $100M in sales in FY24. Additionally, our iconic Bring it Back programme located at the front of our stores has helped our customers recycle over 11,000 tonnes of unwanted products since 2020, and in turn-built customer loyalty.”
Officeworks’ People & Planet plan has made remarkable strides in creating positive change across a wide range of areas and saved the business money, Hargreaves added, “Through our energy efficiency initiatives and our onsite solar, we have reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions and saved 4% in energy costs. We will continue to roll out our solar PV programme, which is now in forty-three stores, generating more of our own energy.”
Since 2017, Officeworks has partnered with Greening Australia to plant two plants for every one used, based on the weight of paper products customers purchase. This initiative reflects Officeworks ongoing commitment to restoring Australia’s landscapes, and this year celebrated planting 1.5 million plants and restoring 1,990 hectares of land on behalf of its customers.
CEO of Greening Australia Heather Campbell said: “Our long-standing partnership with Officeworks has created tangible impact for the environment and local communities across Australia over the past seven years and will continue to do so for many years to come. The Restoring Australia program is a brilliant example of organisations coming together to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises with meaningful, on-ground action.”
For more than a decade, Officeworks has partnered with both The Smith Family and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation to support young people’s education.
This year, Officeworks has well and truly surpassed its goal to support 30,000 Australian students in need by 2025, having assisted 60,000 students since 2020 through its various appeals.
The Smith Family CEO, Doug Taylor said: “This is just another demonstration of Officeworks’ incredible commitment to making a difference to people in their local communities, something we see them do every year. Last year, Officeworks’ Back to School Appeal raised more than AU$1.3 million ($869,364/ €803,226), creating opportunities for 2,000 students to receive educational support through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. Through our partnership, Officeworks has raised more than AU$9.3 million ($5.75 million/ €6.22 million) for The Smith Family via its Back-to-School Appeal – enough to support more than 14,000 students on Learning for Life for an entire year.”
Kicking off FY25 plans strongly, Officeworks has successfully reached its 100% renewable electricity target by finalising new energy agreements, set to take effect from 1 January 2025.
Officeworks’ is also contributing to a low carbon future by using less electricity through investments in LED lighting upgrades, building energy management systems (BEMS), rooftop solar PV systems and rolling out battery systems.
Officeworks National Support Office at Chadstone Place has recently achieved Australia’s first zero carbon certification from the International Living Future Institute, setting a new global benchmark for environmentally conscious development. By retrofitting rather than rebuilding, Officeworks and its landlord Vicinity has made an 85% embodied carbon saving, electrified and future proofed the asset and created a workplace that reflects the Officeworks team values.
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Officeworks People and Planet Positive Report Retail Sustainability
