Our Go Full Circle program wrapped up earlier this month; we caught up with the graduate businesses to understand why they took part, what they learnt, what the benefits are to them and their customers, and why the circular economy makes total business sense.
Between October and December, we partnered with Circular Economy Victoria to deliver the free eight week Go Full Circle program, supporting local businesses to improve how they design, use and recycle materials and reduce waste by shifting to a circular economy.
A circular economy values resources and makes the most of them for as long as possible – keeping products and materials circulating in the economy. Businesses can use the circular economy to drive stronger financial, environmental, and social outcomes for them and their customers.
We caught up with Cannings Butchers, Kokki Eco and McKenna's Shoes, to learn a little more about them and their Go Full Circle experience.
Cannings are retail butchers, with nine stores across Melbourne, including in Malvern, Toorak, and South Yarra. They're on a mission to drive positive and innovative change throughout their business. As a committed B Corp-certified business, they had already pledged to address their environmental impact. They have a team that are committed and engaged to adopt a circular economy approach to how they operate.
'We joined the Go Full Circle program as soon as we heard about it. We are keen to network with like-minded businesses, and to initiate and improve sustainable practices that can make positive differences in our operations and for our customers,' said Chief Operating Officer, Caroline Gill.
Go Full Circle supported Caroline, and Project Manager Joseph Lynch, to identify eleven new potential circular initiatives that could benefit the business and its customers. They will start by implementing a composting waste stream, across nine locations, for food waste and other compostable materials.
Realising a composting waste stream would deliver a host of benefits, notably, the removal of tonnes of food waste from entering landfill each year. While a relatively simple measure, it will be used as a catalyst to achieve their long-term goal of embedding a circular economy strategy throughout the business.
Kokki Eco is a social enterprise based in Prahran, focused on creating positive impact through the ethical trade of fashion and interior design items.
With a customer base that values sustainability and ethical practices, owner Tanya Doumouras saw Go Full Circle as the perfect opportunity to fully align Kokki Eco to the circular economy model and establish a community of like-minded businesses. 'I hope that being involved in the program will lead to Kokki Eco being part of a lasting network of businesses with shared values.'
Go Full Circle supported Tanya to identify ten new potential circular initiatives that could benefit the business and its customers. Their goal is to transition towards stocking products made from natural fabrics and dyes which are kinder to our planet. They also want to educate their customers around caring for their purchase for a longer product life, ultimately leading to less textiles going to landfill.
McKenna's Shoes, based in Malvern, joined Go Full Circle because they believe that sustainability actions are our future. 'We want to position ourselves as a business that values sustainability and the circular economy', said Sherry Li, owner of McKenna's Shoes.
Having identified twelve new potential circular initiatives, Sherry is considering introducing an incentive plan to encourage customers to participate in circular economy by reducing the usage of plastic bags. A sum of money would be donated to Stonnington Toy library for each purchase where the customer forgoes a plastic bag.
'The Stonnington Toy library plays such an important role for the community and the circular economy,' said Sherry. 'If I can support the incredible work they are doing while also reducing the number of plastic bags used, then that is a good thing.'
For each of our three Go Full Circle graduates, working towards their circular initiatives and goals will deliver a host of environmental, financial, customer culture, and community benefits. We wish them the best of luck as they rethink and redesign their systems and processes to go full circle.
