Like the early learning and childcare sector, at Officeworks, we aim to support young Australians to make bigger things happen in their lives through learning and education.
We are committed to providing children with the learning resources they need to play, create and explore while ensuring we build sustainable practices and products to support a quality education – and protect the planet.
At work, and as a mother, I am proud of our efforts at Officeworks to address the educational divide while taking meaningful action on climate change. But there is more to do.
Closing the educational divide
Through our partnership with the Smith Family and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and with the generous support of our community, we help thousands of disadvantaged children every year to improve their educational outcomes through scholarships and the provision of resources.
Over 7,500 Australian students were assisted through our campaigns, Our Wall of Hands and Back to School Appeal, in the last year. We aim to support 30,000 students across Australia who need it most by 2025.
Greener choices range
Recently, we have responded to an education industry need to make paint and craft supplies more sustainable. A new Greener Choices function on our website has been created to highlight our sustainable products to help our customers shop more sustainably.
As part of this, we have introduced a range of 100 per cent recyclable two litre poster paint bottles in our Kadink range which is popular with pre and primary school children. Our new PET bottles greatly lessen the impact on the environment but do not impact on durability or quality which we know is important. All of our Kadink paint and dough, unique to Officeworks, is made here in Australia and supports the local economy.
Additionally, 99 per cent of our paper products are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified which supports the world’s forests and protects wildlife.
Reducing waste and emissions
To help reduce landfill and emissions, we’re providing our communities with easy ways to recycle their e-waste in our stores to contribute to the circular economy. We’re also phasing out problematic plastics and becoming a zero-waste business.
Last year, we planted our one millionth tree as part of our partnership with Restoring Australia to help restore our natural environment – with two trees planted for every one used in paper based products – and we have committed to zero deforestation in our supply chain by 2025 and zero emissions by 2050.
The future
As Australia’s leading retailer in office and education products and supplies, we employ over 9,000 team members and have a national footprint of 167 stores. We too are shifting the way we operate, both in our stores and across our supply chain. This includes reducing our impact by replacing all non-LED lighting across our stores nationally and continuing to roll out solar energy and battery powered systems in pursuit of achieving our 100 per cent renewable energy target by 2025.
We know our customers and partners are conscious of social and environmental issues and we see our role at Officeworks as one which can help drive positive change. We are committed to making it as easy as possible for the community to make sustainable choices at the time of purchase or with programs to help supporting recycling.
To find out more about our commitments and goals we are aiming to achieve by 2025 please visit officeworks.com.au/peopleandplanet
Author: Sarah Hunter
