Sustainability at Buy Better
Fighting for a Sustainable Future
"As a nation, we no longer 'should' do better, we need to. It's time to disrupt retail consumerism on behalf of the planet and we can't do it without your help"
According to the 2023 Climate Change Performance Index, Australia has received a 'very low' rating for its performance in every category (greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy). For this reason, the index has placed Australia an embarrassing 55th out of 59 countries plus the EU!
As the world grapples with a host of worsening environmental issues, most of us aren't doing enough to help make a difference. Single-use plastics, mindless consumerism, and a lack of focus on sustainability. These are things that need to change. Currently, our choice is either to keep doing what we're doing and ignore the planet. Or, turn ourselves into hermits and reject the modern world. We want to help you discover a better way with Green Friday.
Our Expectations of Brands
Transparency is at the core of our expectations from brands. All brands will be at different stages of their sustainability journey however all must be committed to deliver on their sustainability plans and are transparent in reporting against their achievements with data and facts as well as highlighting what is still to come.
In order to be as transparent as possible with consumers, Green Friday participants have to answer questions that follow the below sustainability framework and their answers will be public on their brand page. This means that you, as the consumer, can choose to support brands that align with what is important to you, whether that is environmental policies, sustainable certifications and more.
Sustainability
Emissions & Key Environmental Issues
What is your company doing to reduce your emissions or combat key environmental issues?
Here at Green Friday we are passionate about doing our part to reduce our emissions. That’s why we have partnered with Carbon Neutral, the longest-standing carbon offset provider in Australia. In the last year, we have been active participants in their Plant-a-Tree program, contributing to the restoration of the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor.
Service Offering
How are the service/s you offer environmentally friendly?
Helps consumers access sustainability-focused goods and services
What makes Green Friday unique, is that participating brands will be showcasing their sustainability-focused deals. What it means to be a ‘sustainability-focused deal’ varies across categories and is determined by the brand itself. However, we do ensure that not any deal can feature on Green Friday. For example, within the Fashion category brands would not be allowed to showcase traditional fast fashion deals made from a majority of plastic-based materials, however, are allowed to upload “deals” that include products made from eco-friendly materials (reused, recycled, organic etc.).
Supply Chain
Do you obtain materials, products and/or services from suppliers that are socially and environmentally responsible? What processes have you implemented to make your supply chain more sustainable?
As we do not sell the products ourselves, we don’t have an end-to-end supply chain to manage. However, we choose to work exclusively with brands that are committed to their sustainability journey and helping Australian consumers buy better. In order to be as transparent as possible with consumers, Green Friday participants will complete a sustainability framework and their answers will be public on their brand page. This means that you, as the consumer, can choose to support brands that align with what is important to you, whether that is environmental policies, sustainable certifications etc.
Sustainability Certifications
1% For The Planet Member
Community Initiatives
How does your company give back to the community? (e.g. financial donations, volunteering, partnerships etc.)?
We are extremely proud to be a member of 1% for the Planet. The 1% for the Planet certification is given to businesses who have pledged to donate 1% of annual sales to environmental or social nonprofits. It was important to us when we founded Green Friday to create a business that was a true force for good, that is why we decided to join 1% for the Planet, an organisation founded to prevent greenwashing and certify reputable giving and accountability.
As previously mentioned, we also partner with Carbon Neutral and are active participants in their Plant-a-Tree program, contributing to the restoration of the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
How has your company made a commitment to achieve and maintain inclusion & diversity?
At Green Friday, we are passionate about creating an inclusive work environment and are committed to diversity and equity. We are an equal opportunity workplace and consider all qualified candidates for our open roles regardless of age, gender, race, colour, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, family or carer’s responsibilities. We are proud to be an extremely multicultural workplace and enjoy celebrating our diversity.
We are also on a wider mission to make sustainability-focused products more accessible to Australians. Traditionally, it has been common for sustainability-focused goods to cost more than their non-sustainable counterparts, typically due to increased materials costs to grow and manufacture, reputable third-party certifications etc. At Green Friday, we are committed to building a platform that showcases sustainability-focused goods at affordable prices, making them accessible to more Australians.
Circular Models
Is your company based on a circular model or have you introduced circular initiatives?
We had numerous circular brands participating in Green Friday 2022
Sustainability Values
We are supporting consumers shop by what is most important to them from a sustainability perspective. Enabling them to buy better alternatives in all aspects of their lives.
Our Sustainability Partnerships
We've partnered with organisations that are pioneering the sustainable retail space and are on a mission to accelerate sustainability initiatives in Australia.
1% for the planet
We are a member of 1% for the Planet because we want to give back and connect with causes that have real impact. We will pledge 1% of our Green Friday sales towards verified environmental and social nonprofits.
Good360
We are proud to be working with Good360 as our exclusive Charity Partner. Good360 Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that connects charities, schools and society’s most vulnerable with businesses willing to donate unsold or surplus goods, services and disaster recovery essentials. Their mission is to ensure the excess goods and services businesses produce every year flow to people in need rather than going to waste. The result is a Circle of Good that reduces need and waste in our communities at the same time, so everyone benefits – from people to the planet.
Sustainable Choice Group
We are proud to be a foundation member of Sustainable Choice. Sustainable choice call on the world's best brands to publish their sustainability commitments publicly and transparently. They empower consumer choice by making it easy to find sustainability information before you shop.
Carbon Neutral
We have partnered with Carbon Neutral, the longest standing carbon offset providers in Australia. We have supported their Yarra Biodiversity project, a large-scale reforestation effort to help protect our Yarra river.