As sustainability becomes a non-negotiable part of corporate responsibility, certified social enterprises are emerging as crucial partners in creating innovative solutions to help eliminate waste and pollution, improve environmental outcomes and importantly reduce costs.
Waste generation in Australia is a critical issue, with over 76 million tonnes of waste produced annually, and more than 27% of it ending up in landfills*. Clothing waste alone accounts for a staggering 23 kilograms per person per year^, much of which could be recycled or repurposed but instead contributes to overflowing landfill sites. The environmental impact is profound, from greenhouse gas emissions to pollution leaching into soil and waterways.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for action. Reducing waste through recycling, buying responsibly, using reusable containers and avoiding unnecessary packaging are just some of the way individuals are contributing to the circular economy.
Corporate waste management practices must shift from the traditional “take-make-waste” model to a circular economy framework where waste and by products are re-used, repaired, refurbished or recycled. Organisations can have an even greater impact and should focus on responsible business practices.
Government and industry are stepping up with policies and frameworks aimed at holding businesses accountable for their environmental impact. Here are just a few examples:
Seamless Clothing Stewardship Scheme: Launched by the Australian Fashion Council, this initiative focuses on transforming how clothing waste is managed, with a roadmap to circularity that encourages recycling and reuse over disposal.
Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy: This Federal Government policy mandates public sector entities to adopt sustainable procurement practices, setting a standard for private corporations to follow suit.
Sustainability Reporting Framework (Effective January 2025): Under this framework, companies meeting specific thresholds must prepare and disclose sustainability reports, including details on waste management and resource use.
These frameworks not only promote responsible practices but also create a powerful incentive for businesses to collaborate with organisations that can provide innovative solutions.
Social enterprises are uniquely positioned to help businesses meet their sustainability goals. Unlike traditional companies, these businesses embed social and environmental missions at the heart of their operations, making them ideal partners for tackling systemic challenges like waste reduction.
Here are some ways certified social enterprises are actively working with organisations to deliver positive environmental outcomes:
Reground: Repurposing coffee waste
Reground is redefining the way coffee waste is managed, turning it into a resource to create a waste-free world. Ground coffee and chaff are byproducts of roasting and brewing coffee. Australia produces around 75,000 tonnes of these materials every year, and the majority goes into landfill. Reground repurposes this material into compost or other sustainable uses, diverting it from going to landfill, both preventing methane emissions and enriching soils.
Reground has established partnerships with cafés and businesses across Australia. Recently, it also collaborated with the MotoGP in Phillip Island to manage food and coffee waste, demonstrating how large-scale events can adopt sustainable practices. In 2022, Reground won the City of Melbourne’s Sustainability Award.
Superyard: Building sustainability
Superyard specialises in repurposing construction and demolition materials, one of the largest contributors to landfill. Their model diverts materials like timber, equipment, and metals from landfill and reintegrates them into new construction projects.
It has created a platform and a marketplace for businesses to share their unused stock and trade unused building materials, reducing costs but also minimising waste. By incorporating waste management strategies, construction businesses can be more sustainable and cost-effective, while also contributing to the overall reduction of waste in the industry. Superyard’s innovative solution in redistributing building materials for community impact has earned them the winner title for the 2024 Economic Development Sustainable Initiatives and Energy Transition Award.
UPPAREL: From rags to resources
UPPAREL is tackling the issue of textile waste head-on, providing solutions that recover and recycle old garments and fabrics into innovative products. Since it was established in 2016 it has saved close to 15 million clothing items from going to landfill by collecting and re-using or recycling. They work closely with various organisations implementing a sustainable pathway for all unwanted stock, uniforms, offcuts and event consumer items.
In 2021, UPPAREL partnered with Bendigo Bank to launch a nationwide uniform recycling program. The results? The program successfully diverted 32,000 kilograms of uniforms and unwanted textiles from landfill, preventing over 112,000 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere. In 2023, UPPAREL won the Victorian Government’s Industry Leader Award at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards, specifically in the Waste and Recycling Solutions.
Taking the first step
As the clock ticks towards key sustainability deadlines, including the 2025 sustainability reporting requirements, now is the time for businesses to act. Partnering with certified social enterprises isn’t just about meeting compliance; it’s about building resilience, fostering innovation, and demonstrating leadership in creating a sustainable future.
Certified social enterprises are agile, innovative thinkers, focused on delivering on solutions and quality service. Social Traders has been at the forefront of fostering collaboration, connecting certified social enterprises with business and government members. With a national network of 670 certified social enterprises capable of delivering results and measurable impact, we’ve supported more than 300 organisations in achieving their responsible business objectives – working long-term with social enterprises to create social and environmental impact together.
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