At the 10th anniversary celebrations for Good360 … Wollongong MP Paul Scully, government and philanthropy head Susan Wallis, managing director and founder Alison Covington and Cunningham MP Alison Byrnes. Photo: Good360.
Almost $4.5 billion worth of new, unsold consumer goods are being dumped at a time when there is a record level of need in the community.
Good360, founded 10 years in Woonona by managing director Alison Covington, has released a report showing Australia’s waste levels continue to rise despite a growing need.
Good360 plays a “matchmaker” role between businesses wanting to dispose of unwanted new goods and charities who desperately need those goods to help their growing number of clients.
Since 2015, Good360 has redistributed more than 43.7 million new items, helping more than 4.8 million people and avoiding 7616 tonnes of waste.
That equates to about $500 million worth of unsold goods.
However, as Good360 marks its 10th anniversary, a new report from Deloitte Access Economics reveals that nearly $4.5 billion worth of new, unsold consumer goods are wasted every year in Australia.
Alison said the figures showed there was still much more that could be done in the space.
“Over the last 10 years, we are proud to have connected $500 million dollars’ worth of unsold goods to people in Australia doing it tough,” she said.
“As Good360 successfully grows to solve the problem of wasted new goods, the opportunity to do more keeps growing too.
“We are seeing rising levels of waste on one side, and record levels of need on the other.”
The report shows the value of unsold retail goods wasted in Australia has risen by 17 per cent since 2021 and now sits at $2.9 billion per year.
The rise of online shopping returns is adding more to the volume of goods wasted (more than $1.5 billion), taking the total estimate for new, unsold goods potentially heading to landfill in Australia each year to nearly $4.5 billion.
The areas with the most growth in waste are toiletries, cleaning supplies and infant supplies, yet many of these goods are urgently needed.
Good360 research reveals that 82 per cent of charities and disadvantaged schools across Australia say demand for essential items such as hygiene products, clothing, furniture and education supplies has never been higher.
The organisation has also announced a new chair, James Atkins, who said too many families were going without the essential items needed for a safe home, for hygiene and dignity and for education, work and play.
“This is not just about reducing landfill. It’s about lifting lives,” he said.
“At the same time, retailers are grappling with the growing and often hidden costs of unsold stock.
“This is a commercial issue, as well as a social one. Good360 offers a solution that transforms this challenge into a strategic advantage, with real and measurable outcomes for people and our planet.
“We know how to do this. We have the partnerships, the model, and the platform. Now, with collective action and renewed investment, we can step up to meet this moment and ensure Australia’s surplus serves its highest purpose: supporting people in need, Australia-wide.”
Over the next 10 years, Good360 aims to grow from delivering $500 million of new goods over a decade to delivering $500 million every year.
The charity is calling on more retailers, brands and businesses to come on board to help reduce need and waste while also reducing costs.
“To businesses who haven’t yet worked with us – now is the time. If your business is holding onto aged inventory, returns, or unsold stock, items that are costing you money to store or discard, please partner with us. We’ll make sure they go to people who need them, right across the country,” James said.
Click here for more information on Good360.
