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CEO
We’re committed to playing our part in creating a more sustainable future with furniture that lasts, because quality is at the heart of everything we do. As one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest furniture retailers, we know we can make a difference. We are currently working to deliver our first three-year roadmap, which includes goals and 34 initiatives across three focus areas.
We are at the start of our journey, and we know change won’t happen overnight, but we’re committed to continuously improving and sharing our journey with you. Here, we share some of the work underway to start our journey, and what’s to come.
CONSIDERED DESIGN
We're working towards more sustainable sources across our production, materials and resources.
SMARTER PACKAGING
We’re working to reduce the amount of packaging we use, increase the use of recycled content and improve packaging recyclability.
BETTER PRACTICES
We're working to find ways to have less impact on the environment and establish ways to measure our progress, so we stay on track.
Considered design is crucial to improve resource use, reduce waste and extend product lifespans, from the start. We’re committed to delivering furniture and homewares made from materials that are compliant with responsible sourcing legislations. In accordance with the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (Cth) and Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 (Cth) and Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), Freedom have developed a new Responsible Sourcing Framework. This will require our suppliers to establish appropriate systems in accordance with our Responsible Sourcing policies. Our Framework will be managed and implemented by our Responsible Sourcing Committee. We have also been looking at how to make more considered design choices within our stores. Across our 11 New Zealand stores, we have moved from printing large format signage 3-4 times a year, to producing standardized reusable signage with small promotional glass adhesives. This has reduced POS spend by 38% between October 2023- March 2024 while achieving single-use material savings*.
We’ve set a goal to provide more sustainable options across key furniture and homewares categories by 2025 and we will continue to regularly review and update our sourcing practices. We recognize the importance of certification bodies such as FSC, GOTS, and Oeko-tex. We are currently compiling a full breakdown of certifications used across all homewares products- this will identify where we can increase our use of certified materials and improve our transparency. We are also working on a sustainable design checklist that will help inform how we can continue to improve product longevity and increase the use renewable, recycled and recyclable materials across our designs.
*We are currently exploring the end-of-life recovery solutions for the cut lettering.
Freedom is committed to developing a circular economy for packaging in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2021, we’ve been APCO members, working towards the National Packaging Targets. In 2024, we developed sustainable packaging guidelines for homewares that will be integrated into our procurement process. These guidelines outline key design principles and material considerations to improve packaging efficiencies, recyclability and outline key steps to eliminate problematic or hard to recycle packaging.
We also recently trialed a cardboard shredder in our Balgowlah store. This has enabled us to downcycle shipper packaging to create honeycomb packaging for online deliveries, giving it a new lease of life and eliminate the use of virgin single-use plastic packaging. We are now rolling this out across our 11 company stores in New Zealand.
We will continue to implement programs aligned to our APCO obligations, and work towards the National Packaging Targets. Our focus is to improve our packaging data accuracy and improve on-pack labelling so our customers know the ways to responsibly dispose of or recycle our packaging. As part of our commitment to offer recycling at all stores, distribution centers (DC) and support centers (SC) starting in 2024, we will implement on-site waste recycling programs. This will ensure all DC, SC and store sites have the require recycling services to recycle packaging and solid waste.
You can find a copy of our latest APCO Annual Report here.
By adopting better practices, Freedom, our suppliers and partners can contribute significantly to sustainable development and meet regulatory standards. In 2023, we were thrilled to open our brand-new distribution center in Victoria, which is currently being assessed under the Green Star sustainability rating to determine the effectiveness the solar power, rain harvesting, LED lighting, vertical gardens and so much more. We are working to partner with local businesses wherever possible to support our local economy. As of 2024, 6-10%* of our upholstery and 8-16%* of case goods are designed and manufactured in Australia using components from our local and international suppliers. All Freedom mattresses are manufactured in Australia or New Zealand.
Since 2020, we've partnered with Soft Landing a non-profit social enterprise to assist Australians to recycle their mattresses, diverting reclaimed steel, foam and timber from landfill. In 2024, we became an Impact Partner to All Heart New Zealand, this partnership will enable recovered mattresses in our DC to be diverted from landfill or donated. So far this year, 133 pieces of furniture have been salvaged, ready to be donated, repaired and/or recycled. Our salvage recovery system in our Sydney and Auckland DC gives a second life to Freedom used furniture and homewares that are returned to reduce waste to landfill. Products are either put back into stock, donated to charities, repaired and sold in store or those that cannot be salvaged are disposed. In August 2024, we donated 80 pieces of returned furniture to Reloved, who deliver reclaimed products directly to people who need a helping hand.
You can find out how to recycle your mattress here.
*Dependent on sales volumes, as furniture are made to order.
We know we’re at the start of our journey, and our focus for 2025 is to conduct key environmental audits and establish ways to measure our progress so we stay on track. We’re committed to empowering our teamAC and work with our suppliers to understand and improve their practices. Through our ‘Freedom to Learn’ platform, we aim to onboard all our team to our Homewares Sustainable Packaging Guidelines to increase awareness and action as we work towards the National Packaging Targets.
At Freedom, we believe sustainability is about working collectively to invest in the future of our planet, while continuing to deliver the highest quality products. Together, we can enact real change by making more considered decisions, and we hope you join us.
Want to chat sustainability with us? We'd love to hear your feedback on our plan, or any ideas you may have for how we can influence change. Get in touch with us at sustainability@freedom.com.au or sustainabilitytracker.com to follow our progress.
